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DURING THE 

AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR, 
¥Tom n^lb to nSS, 

MSCBIBIHG INTERESTING IVBNTS AND TRANSACTIONS OF THIS PERIOD, 
WITH NITJIEHOCS 

HISTORICAL FACTS AJVD AA'ECDOTES, 

FROM THE ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT. 



TO ■WHICH IS AOSED 

AN APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING 

OE 

SEVERAL GE^'ERAL OFFIC 



BY JAMES THACHER, M D. 

LATE SURGEON IN THE AMERICAN A! 



' As Americans we hail with delight any attempt to rescue from 
actions of thoss whose names we have been taught 




BOSTON: 
PUBLISHED BY RICHARDSON AND LORD. 



J. H. A. Frost, printer. 
1823. 















rr 






4^' 



DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, to wit: 
District Clerk's Office. 

pnetors, in the words following, to mt 7 ° whereof they claim as pro- 

cr;;fn5;S,f;^TJen'rs':L^'TrlS°3^^^^^^^^ ^"^»° '^«3. "" 

Facts and Anecdotes, from the origToal Ma„uscript Tn «h T''*" "'JTT"' "'^'""'^al 
containing Biographical Sketchesof sett™! r?'^fn/ ^*»<^"5 added, an Appendix, 
late Surgeon in^he American arm/.. .A, f.^ Oflicers. By James Thachcr.M.D 

rescue f?om oblivion the words or^actioof of those' wL"* ^"' "'"^ ^t^'^^'-i any attempt t. 
revere.' '. actions oJ those whose names we have been taught to 

^^l''eZt::XeV^lL::r^^^^^^^^ S/ates. entitled, -An Act fo. 

the Authors' and Proprietors of such Con ef t' ^.l" .°^ '^"f ' ^^''''' ""'^ Books to 
also to an Act entitled, -An Act supDriment ?^ the times therein mentioned:" and 
couragement of Learning by securing ,^pr^° ^r t"'' '"^'"'"'- ^" ^'' ''"^ 'he en- 
Authors and Proprietors of suc^ PnnL!^" ^1,'''"" "f Maps. Charts and Books, to the 
the benefits thS to the Arts 0^^ "'"'"^ the times therein mentioned ; and extending 
Other Prints." ^"' "^ ^«'S'»"3. Kngrav.ng and Etching Historical and 

JOHN W. T)AVI<! 



JOHN W. DAVIS, 
Clerk of the District of Massachuteita. 



DEDICATION. 



TO HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN BROOKS, ESQUIRE. 
Governor of Massachusetts. 

It is with peculiar felicity that your Excellency is 
recognized as one among the few survivors of that 
heroic band, who have been crowned with military 
honors for glorious achievements at an era when our 
republic was in its infancy, and in peril for its ex- 
istence. This production, though aspinng not to 
the dignified title of history, may revive in your re- 
collection scenes and events of the deepest interest, 
in which you nobly participated, and may afford to 
the rising generation lessons of instruction and motives 
for gratitude to their progenitors, when we shall be 
at rest. Long may those public virtues and that 
philanthropy, which are so eminently your charac- 
teristics, continue to cement the love and gratitude 
of the people, and may the benedictions of Heaven 
be your final reward. With sentiments of profound 
veneration for the patriotic warrior and statesman, 
this work is dedicated, 

Bv your Excellency's obedient, 
and very humble servant, 

JAMES THACHER. 

Plymouth, January \st, 1823. 



INTRODUCTION. 



It is through your earnest solicitations, iny dear 
friends, that I commit to public inspection the crude 
fragments, recorded in my Military Journal, kept 
during the American Revolutionary War. The subor- 
dinate station which I sustained did not permit access 
to the great source from which all important events 
derived their origin ; nor was I made acquainted 
with the views and motives of action. The transac- 
tions and occurrences which I shall relate, though 
of minor import and penned for temporary amuse- 
ment, are nevertheless of a nature too deeply inter- 
esting to be consigned to oblivion. No circumstance 
pertaining to our country's emancipation, but should 
be embalmed in the memory of our children and 
transmitted to the latest posterity, as among the most 
interesting transactions recorded in the annals of man. 
When we contemplate the vastly extended conse- 
quences of our revolution, it will be conceded that 
every incident respecting its rise and progress, and 
the renowned patriots and heroes by whom it was 



VI INTRODUCTION. 

achieved, is well worthy of perpetual remembrance. 
With these are associated the primary principles of 
the rights of man, which so successfully prevailed 
at the period of our country's infancy. Those prin- 
ciples^ which are the great spring of action in the 
bosom of tlie honest patriot, spurn the power and 
paralyze the hearts of tyrants. The contents of these 
sheets refer more to details of military manoeuvres 
and the internal police of camps, than to projects 
and events which decide the fate of nations ; they 
may however, afford amusement to the inquisitive 
mind, and to the rising generation, precepts not alto- 
gether destitute of importance and useful instruction. 
They will disclose some interesting particulars, not 
generally known, and may serve to augment the stock 
of information developing the fatal policy of the 
British government, as displayed on the theatre of 
her American colonies. This production may more- 
over subserve the purpose of an epitomy of the 
history of t!ie revolutionary contest, and abridge in 
some measure the labor of the youthful mind in the 
study of the more elaborate and technical histories 
of that ever memorable epoch. With this view I 
have prefixed a short sketch of interesting transac- 
tions prior to the actual commencement of hostilities. 
^^ History," says a late elegant writer, " presents no 
struggle for liberty, which has in it more of the 
njoral sublime, than that of the American revolution. 
It has been of late years too much forgotten in the 
sharp contentions of party, and he who endeavors to 
withdraw the public mind from these debasing con- 
flicts, and to fix it on the grandeur of that epoch, 
which, magnificent in itself, begins now to wear the 



INTRODUCTION. VII 

solemn livery of antiquity, as it is viewed through 
the deepening twilight of almost half a century, cer- 
tainly performs a meritorious service, and can scarcely 
need a justification."* 

It may he deemed reproachful to our country, that 
nearly half a century has elapsed since the American 
colonies were emancipated from British thraldonj, and 
that we are yet unfurnished with proper biographical 
memoirs of the renowned patriots and heroes whose 
unparalleled efforts under Providence, achieved the 
inestimable blessings of liberty and freedom. No 
characters assuredly, are more worthy to excite the 
curiosity and gratitude of posterity than those who 
contributed so largely to the establishment of our 
invaluable civil and religious privileges under a re- 
publican constitution. The immortal chieftain, in- 
deed, and his illustrious compeer, General Greene, 
can receive no additional memorials from any labors 
in my power to bestow. I might incur the imputa- 
tion of arrogance were I to imagine myself competent 
to the duty of portraying in a just light the char- 
acters of those whose revered names are introduced 
into the appendix of this work. I can only claim 
the merit of having exerted my best efforts to pro- 
cure documents and assistance, and to illustrate their 
qualities under the guidance of the legitimate prin- 
ciples of impartiality and justice. Should posterity 
inquire why their ancestors, destitute of military 
education or experience, abandoned their peaceful 
abodes to encounter the perils of uncertain warfare, 
let them be told it was not to execute the mandates 
of a tyrant in subjugating their fellow men, but it 

* Silliman's Tour from Hartford (o Quebec, 1820. 



Vlll INTRODUCTION. 

was in defence of our most precious rights and privi- 
leges : it was a display of that genuine patriotism 
and true glory which it is ever most honorable to 
venerate and cherish. While their own hearts glow 
with patriotic fervor, let them reflect, that true glory 
consists in the love of peace and the culture of be- 
nevolence and good will to men. Let their souls 
hold in detestation every species of warfare, save 
that which may secure and defend the invaluable 
heritage which their fathers have bequeathed them, 
and for which their memories should be embalmed 
with the incense of gratitude. 

. N. B. Should the reader conceive that in detailing the 
ravages and aggressions of the British army, I have in- 
dulged in language of asperity, inconsistent with that 
urbanity and good fellowship which it is desirable should 
be cultivated between the two nations at the present day, 
it may be observed that this is but a feeble specimen of 
the belligerant language employed by writers at that 
period when the wrathful passions were reciprocally ex- 
cited and continually aggravated. 



MILITARY JOURNAL— 1775. 



January. — At the precise period when my medi- 
cal studies and education are completed, under the 
patronage of Dr. Abner Hersey of Barnstable, and I 
am contemplating the commencement of a new career 
in life, I find our country about to be involved in 
all the horrors of a civil war. A series of arbitrary 
and oppressive meas\ires, on the part of the mother 
country, has long been advancing to that awful 
crisis, when an appeal to the power of the sword 
becomes inevitable. The event of this mighty 
struggle is to decide an affair of infinite magnitude, 
not merely as it respects the present generation, but 
as it will affect the welfare and happiness of unborn 
millions. The gi'eat fundamental principle, in the 
present controversy, is the right which is claimed by 
the Parliament of Great Britian, to exercise domi- 
nion, as the only supreme, and uncontrollable legis- 
lative power over all the American Colonies. '' Can 
they make laws to bind the colonies in all cases what- 
ever ; levy taxes on them without their consent ; 
dispose of the revenues, thus raised, without their 
control ; multiply officers at pleasure, and assign 
them fees, to be paid without, nay, contrary to and 
in direct violation of acts of our Provincial Assem- 
2 



10 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

blies and approved by the crown ? Can they en- 
large the power of admiralty courts ; divert the usual 
channels of justice ; deprive the colonists of trial by a 
jury of their countrymen ; in short, break down the 
barriers which their forefathers have erected against 
arbitrary power, and enforce their edicts by fleets 
and armies." Then indeed are we reduced to a 
state of abject slavery ; and all resistance to acts of 
Parliament may justly be called by the name of trea- 
son and rebellion. " The people of these colonies 
consider themselves as British subjects, entitled to 
all the rights and privileges of Freemen. It is in- 
separably essential to the freedom of a people, and 
the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no taxes 
be imposed on them but with their own consent, 
given personally or by their representatives. From 
their local circumstances, the colonies cannot be 
represented in the house of commons of Great 
Britain ; the only representatives of the people of 
the colonies are the persons chosen therein by them- 
selves ; and no taxes ever can be constitutionally im- 
posed on them, but by their respective legislatures." 
All acts of Parliament therefore, for raising a reve- 
nue in America, are considered as depriving us of 
our property, without our consent, and consequently 
as a palpable infringement of our ancient rights and 
privileges. They are unconstitutional and arbi- 
trary laws, subversive of the liberties and privi- 
leges secured to us by our royal charters. It is not 
consistent with the principles which actuate the 
American people, ever tamely to submit to such a 
degrading system of government j not however from 
a want of loyalty to our king, nor from an undue 
impatience of subordination or legal restraint ; for 
in a quiet submission and demeanor to constitutional 
authority, and in zeal and attachment to our king, 
we dare to vie with any of our fellow subjects of 
Great Britain ; but it is an innate love of liberty, and 
our just rights, that impels us to the arduous struggle. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 11 

III no country, it is asserted, is the love of liberty 
more deeply rooted, or tlie knowledge of the rights 
inherent to freemen more generally diffused, or 
better understood, than among the British American 
Colonies. Our religious and political privileges are 
derived from our virtuous fathers ; they were in- 
haled with our earliest breath ; and are, and will 
I trust ever be, implanted and cherished in the 
bosom of the present and future generations. These 
are the prevalent sentiments in New England at this 
eventful crisis, and all the other provinces, Georgia 
excepted, are known to be in unison with us in the 
resolution, to oppose with all our power every vio- 
lation of our just rights and privileges. We are not 
however authorized, even in the most glorious of 
causes, to expect a perfect unanimity among a peo- 
ple. Numerous are the springs of men's actions ; and 
diversity of sentiment and views are characteristic 
of human nature. Accordingly we find a small 
minority in our country who are inimical to the com- 
mon cause, and who are continually opposing every 
proceeding of the majority. These people are 
doubtless actuated by various motives ; a few, com- 
paratively, influenced by principle ; some by a spirit 
of timidity, or the absurd doctrine of passive obe- 
dience and non-resistance ; others, from the strength 
of their passions, and weakness of judgment, are 
biassed and led astray by designing demagogues. 
There are, however, those who are vile enough to 
prostrate all honor and principle with the sordid 
view of ofiice and preferment, 

" For His their duty, all the learned think, 
T'espouse that cause by which they eat and drink." 

Those disaffected individuals, who still adhere to 
the royal cause, have received the epithet of Tories ; 
the very name is extremely abhorrent to the people 
in general, and they are subjected to such rigorous 
discipline as to prevent them from doing injury to 



12 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

the great cause of our country. The great majority 
of the people are happily united in the resolution 
to oppose, to the uttermost, the wicked attempts of 
the English cabinet. This class of people have 
assumed the appellation of Whigs ; but by our ene- 
mies are stigmatized by the name of Rebels. If, as 
we affirm, the British government have ceased to 
rule agreeably to the principles of our constitution, 
and our royal charter, and have assumed to them- 
selves the high prerogative of despotic sway, then 
are we absolved from our allegiance and duties as 
British subjects. A contract abrogated by one party 
can no longer be binding on the other. If we are 
menaced with royal power and authority, we justify 
ourselves in defending our indefeasible rights against 
despotism and tyrannical oppression. Cowards alone 
will bend to unjust power, and slaves and sycophants 
only will yield both soul and body to the disposal of 
tyrannical masters. Should our efforts, under God, 
be crowned with the desired success, we shall obtain 
the honor of rescuing ourselves and posterity from 
vassalage ; but if compelled to succumb under royal 
power, then will ours be the rebel's fate, the scaf- 
fold and the gibbet will be glutted with their devot- 
ed victims. We cannot justly be accused of a rash 
precipitance of proceeding ; for petitions and memo- 
rials, couched in the most loyal and humble language, 
have been at various periods presented to our royal 
sovereign, and his parliament, praying for a redress 
of grievances; but they are deaf to all our complaints 
and supplications, and the coercive arm of power is 
suspended over us, threatening implacable vengeance. 
Among the odious acts of the British Parliament 
they passed one which imposed a duty on the article 
of tea, and several cargoes of this commodity were 
shipped to America to obtain the duty and a market. 
On the arrival of the tea ships at Boston great indig- 
nation was excited among the people ; town meetings 
were called to devise some legal measures to prohibit 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 13 

the landing of the odious article. It was universally 
understood that if the tea was once landed, and 
stored, it would hy some means come to a market 
and the duty to the government would be secured. 
In order to defeat this object a number of persons in 
disguise entered the ships at the wharves, broke open 
342 chests of tea, and discharged their contents into 
the water at the dock. This was on the 16th Decem- 
ber, 1773. When intelligence of this summary pro- 
ceeding reached England, it was condemned by the 
government as enormously criminal. They menaced 
our Province with the most exemplary vengeance, 
and Parliament soon passed the Boston Vindictive 
Port Bill as a part of their coercive system, so that 
merely the name of tea is now associated with minis- 
terial grievances, and tea drinking is almost tanta- 
mount to an open avowal of toryism. Those who 
are anxious to avoid the odious epithet of enemies 
to their country, strictly prohibit tlie use of tea in 
their families, and the most squeamish ladies are 
compelled to have recourse to substitutes, or secretly 
steal indulgence in their favorite East India beve- 
rage. 

March. — For the purpose of enforcing submission 
to the cruel mandates of the royal government, a 
reinforcement of the British army has arrived at 
Boston ; and General Gage is appointed Governor 
and Commander in Chief. An armed fleet also 
occupies the harbor ; and the whole port is closed 
against all but British vessels. In short, the horrors 
of civil war seem stalking, with rapid strides, towards 
our devoted country. The people have resorted to 
the expedient of abolishing all the courts of j«istice 
under the new regulations. In our shire towns the 
populace have collected in suflicient numbers to bar 
the dooi's of the court houses, and prohibit the en- 
trance of judges and ofHcers ; the jurors are so 
intimidated, or zealous in the good cause, that in 
general they refuse to take the oath, or to act in any 



14 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

manner under the new modification of government ; 
and the clerks of courts, who have issued warrants 
by which the jurors are summoned, have in many 
instances been compelled to acknowledge their contri- 
tion, and to publish in the newspapers, a full recanta- 
tion. At the regular term of the Court of Common 
Pleas at Barnstable, in September last, I witnessed 
the following prompt procedure. A body of about 
twelve hundred men assembled and obstructed the 
passage to the court house door. The leader of this 
assemblage was Dr. Nathaniel Freeman, a bold son of 
liberty, of Sandwich. Colonel James Otis, the chief 
justice of the court, preceded by the sheriff, ap- 
proached; and the venerable chief justice demanded 
admission. Dr. Freeman replied that it was the 
intention of the people to prevent the court's being 
opened to exercise those unconstitutional powers, 
with which they are invested by Parliament. The 
chief justice, in his majesty's name, commanded them 
to disperse, and permit the court to enter and pro- 
ceed to business. But his majesty's name had lost 
its power ; it can have no charms with the sons of 
liberty. The venerable judge then said he had 
acquitted himself of his duty, and retired. This 
proceeding had been discussed and concerted prior to 
the court term ; and Colonel Otis himself, a stanch 
whig, was, it is believed, not only apprized of, but 
actually acquiesced in, this bold measure. This ex- 
cellent man is now advanced to about 74 years in life ; 
he is considered as possessing sound sense and good 
judgment ; and as being of the purest integrity. He 
has been, for many years, the leading law character in 
the Old Colony, and a member of his majesty's coun- 
cil of the province ; but his patriotism and zeal in 
the cause of our country have rendered him and his 
family exceedingly odious to Governor Hutchinson, 
and other adherents of the^crown. Colonel Otis is the 
parent of that great champion, and able advocate for 
liberty and the rights of man, James Otis, jun. Esq. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 15 

This gentleman is now in a melancholy state of men- 
tal derangement ; and all New England is deploring 
the irreparable loss of the talents, eloquence, and 
patriotic services of this justly celebrated character. 
Colonel Otis has two other sons, Joseph and Samuel 
Allen Otis who are active whigs ; and a daughter, 
married to James Warren, Esq. of Plymouth, who is 
now President of our Provincial Congress. Though 
no judicial courts are in existence, few crimes are 
committed : all is peace, order and regularity. The 
people are their own rulers, and never was there 
less need of penal laws. Trivial disputes are mutu- 
ally adjusted or decided by reference ; pecuniary 
demands are suspended, and the simple recommenda- 
tions of Congress, and of our committees of safety, 
receive that cheerful acquiescence which is scorn- 
fully denied to the coercive edicts emanating from 
despotic power. For 

" Freedom has a thousand charms to show, 
That slaves, however contented, never know." 

We have a Provincial Congress in session at Con- 
cord, consisting of delegates elected by the people, 
and also a grand Continental Congress at Philadel- 
phia, composed of characters highly distinguished for 
political wisdom, rigid patriotism and public virtue. 

The public indignation is now greatly excited by 
the follovdng shameful transaction. The people from 
the country, whose business called them into Boston, 
were suspected by the officers, of purchasing guns 
from their soldiers. In order to furnish an oppor- 
tunity to inflict punishment and to raise occasion 
for a serious quarrel. Lieutenant Colonel Nesbit of 
the forty-seventh regiment ordered a soldier to offer 
a countryman an old rusty musket. A man from 
Billerica was caught by this bait and purchased the 
gun for three dollars. The unfortunate man was 
immediately seized by Nesbit and confined in the 
guard house all night. Early next morning they 



16 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

Stripped him entirely naked, covered him over with 
warm tar, and then with feathers, placed him on a 
cart and conducted him through the streets as far as 
liberty-tree, where the people began to collect in 
vast numbers, and the military, fearing for their own 
safety, dismissed the man, and retreated to their 
barracks. The party consisted of about thirty gren- 
adiers with fixed bayonets, twenty drums and fifes 
playing the Rogues' March, headed by the redoubta- 
ble Nesbit with a drawn sword ! What an honor- 
able deed for a British field officer and grenadiers ! 
The selectmen of Billerica remonstrated with Gen- 
eral Gage respecting this outrage, but obtained no 
satisfaction. 

April 2\st. — Intelligence is now received that 
the British regulars have marched out of Boston, and 
actually commenced hostilities against our people at 
Lexington. For the purpose of ascertaining the par- 
ticular facts, I have been desired to wait on Col. Otis, 
at his mansion in this town. It was in the evening, 
when I found this dignified patriot in his easy chair, 
with several of his neighbors listening with agitated 
spirits to some account of this first most awful trage- 
dy. The good old gentleman had received a letter 
containing a statement of some particulars, and with 
manifest trepidation he said to this effect. "The 
British troops marched to Lexington and Concord 
last Wednesday, the 19th instant, for the purpose of 
destroying some of our military stores ; our militia 
collected and met them at Lexington ; the regulars 
soon commenced firing on them ; our people re- 
turned the fire ; a smart skirmish ensued, and several 
men were killed on both sides. The British were 
compelled to retreat, in some confusion, to Boston ; 
and our people pursued and harassed them. The 
fearful day has arrived ! a civil war has actually 
commenced in our land. We must be prepared for 
the worst, and may God preserve and protect our 
country." This tragical event seems to have elec- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. ^ 17 

trifled all classes of people ; the brave ar^ fired 
with manly resentment, the timid overwhelmed iii 
despair ; the patriotic whigs sorrowing over public 
calamities, while the torics indulge the secret hope, 
that tlie friends of liberty are about to receive their 
chastisement. The sword is now unsheathed, and 
our friends are slaughtered by our cruel enemies ; 
expresses are hastening from town to town, in all 
directions through the country, spreading the melan- 
choly tidings and inspiriting andlrousing the people 
To Jlrms ! To Arms ! The i)ew)le of New England 
have taken the alarm, and their Hearts are animated 
even to enthusiasm. There is an enthusiasm in reli- 
gion, in politics, in military achievements, and in 
gallantry and love, and why not an enthusiasm in the 
love of country? No species of enthusiasm surely 
can be more laudable, or more honorable. Never 
was a cause more just, more sacred tlian ours ; we are 
commanded to defend the rich inheritance bequeath- 
ed to us by our virtuous ancestors ; and it is our 
bounden duty to transmit it uncontaminated to posteri- 
ty : we must fight valiantly therefore, for our lives 
and property, for our holy religion, for our honor, 
and for our dearest friends. We are not born to be 
slaves, and arc resolved to live and die, free ; ap- 
pealing to the sovereign Ruler of the Universe for 
the justice of our cause, and relying on his Almighty 
arm for protection and support. A certain number 
of active men, in every town, have formed them- 
selves into military companies, under the name of 
tninute men ; they are daily practising the manual 
exercise, and are held in constant readiness to march 
against the enemy at a moment's warning. We 
await with trembling expectation the issue of every 
hour. •* 

Authenticated accounts are now received of the 
battle at Lexington. On Tuesday evening, 18th in- 
stant, General Gage despatched, with as much secrecy 
as possible, a detachment consisting of eight or nine 
3 



18 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

hundred regulars, under the command of Lieutenant 
Col. Smith, for the purpose of destroying some military 
stores, which our people had deposited at Concord, 
about eighteen miles from Boston. Having arrived at 
Lexington, six miles short of Concord, they were met 
by a company of militia, of about one hundred men, 
who having taken the alarm, began to assemble from 
different towns before daylight. They were assem- 
bled near the church, about sunrise; when the British 
advanced in quick march to within a few rods, Major 
Pitcairn called out, '^ Disperse you Rebels, throw 
down your arms and dispersed Their small number 
would not admit of opposition, and while they were 
dispersing, the regulars huzzaed, and immediately 
one or two pistols were fired by the ojQicers, and four 
or five muskets by the soldiers ; when a pretty gen- 
eral discharge from the whole party followed, by 
which eight of our people were killed and seven 
wounded. The British now renewed their march 
to Concord, where they destroyed a few articles of 
stores and sixty barrels of flour. Here they were 
met by about one hundred and fifty militia men, on 
whom they fired and killed two, and wounded others. 
Our militia and minute men were now collecting in 
considerable numbers, and being justly enraged 
they made a bold and furious attack on the enemy, 
and drove them in quick march to Lexington. Gen- 
eral Gage having received intelligence of the critical 
situation of his troops, immediately ordered out Lord 
Percy, with a large reinforcement, with two field 
pieces. He marched over the neck through Rox- 
bury, his music playing by way of contempt and 
derision the tune of " Yankee doodleP This timely 
reinforcement joined the party, under command of 
Colonel Smith at Lexington, which formed a force of 
about eighteen hundred men. They soon deemed 
it prudent to commence their march to Boston, the 
provincial militia and minute men, continually in- 
creasing in numbers, pursued and flanked them with 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 19 

the hope of cutting off their retreat. A constant 
skirmishing ensued ; the provincials concealed them- 
selves behind stone walls, and with a sure aim thin- 
ned their enemies' ranks, and occasioned among them 
great confusion. On their side, they could only 
keep up a scattering fire, without effect, frequently 
firing over the stone walls, when there was not a 
man to be seen behind them. The great object of 
the British, was to effect a safe retreat to Boston ; 
but, to avenge themselves, they burnt and plundered 
houses, destroyed property, and actually murdered 
several innocent unarmed persons. The situation 
of the king's forces was, dui'ing the day, extremely 
hazardous ; and it is considered wonderful that any 
of them escaped. Worn down and almost exhausted 
with fatigue, and their ammunition nearly expended, 
they had become nearly defenceless when they reach- 
ed Charlestown, in the evening, after a loss of two 
hundred and seventy three men, killed, wounded 
and prisoners. The loss on the side of the Provin- 
cials is eighty eight in the whole. The British 
oflicers have received a specimen of Yankee courage, 
which they have hitherto affected to hold in the 
most sovereign contempt ; they have ascertained by 
fatal experience, that the people of New England 
will bid defiance to their veteran regulars, and fight 
courageously in defence of their rights. It is truly 
said to be matter of astonishment and chagrin, that 
after all their glorying, their veteran troops have 
been compelled to flee before a comparatively small 
number of undisciplined Yankees. The origin of 
this term, so frequently employed by way of reproach 
to the New England people, is said to be as follows. 
A farmer, by name Jonathan Hastings, of Cambridge, 
about the year 1713 used it as a cant, favorite word, 
to express excellency when applied to any thing ; 
as a Yankee good horse, Yankee cider, &c. mean- 
ing an excellent horse and excellent cider. The 
students at college, having frequent intercourse with 



20 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

Mr. Hastings, and hearing him employ the term on 
all occasions, adopted it themselves, and gave him 
the name of Yankee Jonathan ; this soon became a 
cant word among the collegians to express a weak, 
simple, awkward person, and from college it was 
carried and circtdated through the country, till, 
from its currency in New England, it was at length 
taken up and unjustly applied to the New Eng- 
landers in common, as a term of reproach. It was 
in consequence of this that a particular song called 
*' Yankee doodle,'^ was composed in derision of those 
scornfully called Yankees.* 

May. — Since the catastrophe at Lexington, our 
Provincial Congress have addressed the several towns 
of the colony in a circular letter, in the following im- 
pressive language. " We conjure you by all that 
is dear, by all that is sacred, that you give all as- 
sistance possible in forming the Army. Our all is 
at Stake. Death and devestation are the certain 
consequences of delay. Every moment is infinitely 
precious. An hour lost may deluge your country in 
blood, and entail perpetual slavery on the few of 
your posterity who may survive the carnage. We 
beg and entreat, as you will answer it to your country, 
to your consciences, and, above all, as you will answer 
it to God himself, that you will hasten and encourage, 
by all possible means, the enlistment of men to form 
the Army, and send them forward to head quarters 
at Cambridge, with that expedition which the vast im- 
portance and instant urgency of the affair demands." 

It is scarcely possible to describe the zeal and 
military ardor which pervades New England since 
the battle at Lexington. It is supposed that nearly 
forty thousand men have been in arms with. t!ie de- 
sign of investing the town of Boston, and avenging 
themselves on the enemy for their late slaughter of 

* There appears some incongruity in the above definition of the word 
Yankee. The following is supposed by some to be the origin from 
which it is derived. " Yankee is the Indian corruption of English. 
Tenglees^ Yangles, Yankks^ and finally Yankee..'''' 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 21 

our brethren. The universal voice is " starve them 
out.'" Drive them from the town and let his majes- 
ty's ships be their only place of refuge. Our Pro- 
vincial Congress have resolved that an army of thirty 
thousand men be immediately raised and established. 
A considerable number have already enlisted, and 
being formed into regiments, have taken their station 
at Cambridge and Roxbury. The country militia, 
in great numbers, have arrived from various parts of 
New England ; and the town of Boston is now in- 
vested on all sides, and thus is the whole royal army 
reduced to the humble condition of a besieged garri- 
son. The situation of the inhabitants is deplorable ; 
a considerable proportion of the most affluent have 
removed into the country ; but others, from various 
circumstances, are compelled to remain and sufier 
all the calamities of a besieged town and precarious 
subsistence. Instances indeed are not wanting of 
members of families being torn from each other, 
women and children flying from their husbands and 
parents, under the most afflictive and destitute cir- 
cumstances. 

We are now experiencing a singular kind of In- 
terregnum in our Province ; more than a year has 
elapsed without any legal government, or any regular 
administration of law and justice. — No crimes, how- 
ever, of an atrocious nature have, we believe, been 
perpetrated ; all classes of people appear to be sub- 
missive, under the influence of the principles of moral 
rectitude and common justice ; and the resolutions 
and recommendations of Congress have all the weight 
and efiicacy of laws. Our domestic tranquillity is in 
some measure interrupted by a restless spirit among 
the tories ; but the great body of the community are 
actuated by the glorious cause of our country's 
freedom. Tlic maxim ado])ted by our enemies is, 
<* Divide and eonquerP We enjoin the command, 
*^ Unite and he invincibleJ'^ It is considered in- 
fluitely important to encourage and promote a more 



22 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

perfect union among the colonies, and harmony and 
unanimity among the people. " Liberty or death.^^ 
*< Unite or die,''^ are the mottos which blazon the 
chronicles of the day, and embellish the military 
standards of almost every militia company. The 
man who does not acquiesce in the theme of liberty 
is marked by the vigilant eye of suspicion, or stig- 
matized as an enemy to his country. Liberty poles 
are erected in almost every town and village ; and 
when a disaffected tory renders himself odious, by 
any active conduct, with the view of counteracting 
the public measures, he is seized by a company of 
armed men, and conducted to the liberty pole, under 
which he is compelled to sign a recantation, and 
give bonds for his future good conduct. In some 
instances, of particular stubbornness and obstinacy, 
individuals have been imprisoned, or their names 
have been published in the newspapers as enemies 
to their country. It has indeed unfortunately hap- 
pened, that a few individuals, in consequence of their 
own indiscretion, have been the subjects of a more 
rigorous procedure. Having fallen into the hands 
of those whose zeal has transported them beyond 
the bounds of moderation, they have received from 
the rabble a coat of tar and feathers, and in this 
predicament have been exposed to the scoffs and rid- 
icule of the populace. Such examples have the 
effect of striking terror into the hearts of all the 
disaffected, and of restraining the whole party from 
acting against the general sense of the people. The 
tories make bitter complaints against the discipline 
which they receive from the hands of the whigs; 
their language is, " You make the air resound with 
the cry of liberty, but subject those who differ from 
you to the humble condition of slaves, not permitting 
us to act, or even think, according to the dictates of 
conscience." The reply is, " It is one of the first 
principles of a free government, that the majority 
shall bear rule ; our majority is immensely large ; 



MILITARY JOURNALj 1775. 23 

we have undertaken the hazardous task of defending 
the liberties of our country against the mighty power 
of Great Britian ; and hold ourselves responsible for 
our conduct. If you possess not patriotism and 
courage enough to unite your efforts with ours, it is 
our duty to put it out of your power to injure the 
common cause. If we are successful, your party and 
posterity will participate in the import nt advan- 
tages to be derived from our efforts. If our party 
should be crushed, then will yours in turn become 
triumphant." A small number of our tories have 
abandoned their homes, their families and property, 
and resorted to the standard of their royal master 
in Boston ; consoling themselves in the confident 
expectation of an ample reward, and a triumphant 
restoration. The clergymen of New England are, 
almost without exception, advocates of whig princi- 
ples ; there are a few instances only of the separation 
of a minister from his people, in consequence of a 
disagreement in political sentiment. The tories 
censure, in a very illiberal manner, the preacher 
who speaks boldly for the liberties of the people, 
while they lavish their praises on him who dares to 
teach the absurd doctrine, that magistrates have a 
divine right to do wrong, and are to be implicitly 
obeyed. It is recommended by our Provincial Con- 
gress, that on other occasions than the sabbath, min- 
isters of parishes adapt their discourses to the times, 
and explain the nature of civil and religious liberty, 
and the duties of magistrates and rulers. Accord- 
ingly, we have from our pulpits the most fervent and 
pious effusions to the throne of Divine Grace in be- 
half of our bleeding, afflicted country. A zealous 
divine, who has been compelled to abandon the people 
of his charge in Boston, on one occasion used, in the 
pulpit at P***, the following emphatical language. 
^^Oh ! Lord, if our enemies will fight us, let them have 
fighting enough. If more soldiers are on their way 
hither, sink them, Lord, to the bottom of the sea." 



24 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

Every heart seemed ready to respond, ^^Amen, yea, 
let them have fighting enough.'' 

June 14:th. — General Gage has issued a proclama- 
tion declaring the province of Massachusetts Bay to 
be in a state of rebellion, offering a pardon to all who 
will resort to his standard, and denouncing the penalty 
of martial law on all those who refuse to submit to 
his authority, or who shall be found aiding or corres- 
ponding with such as he has designated as unpardon- 
able rebels and traitors. He has been pleased to 
proscribe by name, Mr. John Hancock and Mr. Sam- 
uel Adams, as objects of his exemplary vengeance. 
Yet, singular as it may appear, this same authorized 
Governor, and General in Chief of the royal army, is 
now cooped up in the town of Boston, panting for a 
country airing, of which he is debarred by his de- 
nounced rebels. 

We are again shocked by intelligence that a ter- 
rible battle has been fought between the British reg- 
ulars and the American soldiers, on Bunker, or 
rather Breed's hill, in Charlestown, near Boston, on 
the 17th instant. The report states that the whole 
town of Charlestown is burnt to ashes by the enemy, 
and that Dr. Joseph Warren, lately appointed Major 
General in our army, is killed ; and that several hun- 
dreds of our soldiers are killed and wounded. The 
battle, it is said, was extremely severe and destruc- 
tive ; but the provincial troops displayed the greatest 
courage and bravery, in the face of the regulars, and 
have obtained immortal honor. The British were 
several times defeated before they took possession of 
our works, and have suffered a loss of more than a 
thousand of their best troops ; among whom are a 
large proportion of their most valuable officers. 
They are now taught that Americans can bid defi- 
ance to royal regulars, when called to defend their 
frecdoin. The situation of our country is truly de- 
plorable, a civil war at our doors ; our neighbors, 
our fathers and brothers, called from their families to 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 25 

encounter an inexorable enemy consisting indeed 
of brethren and kindred ; our domestic peace and 
welfare cruelly interrupted, and the aspect of our 
public affairs gloomy in the extreme. All New 
England has become a theatre of military array ; and 
every member of the community manifests the deep- 
est concern hr the great calamities, with which the 
country is afflicted, by the tyrannical measures of a 
con'upt administration. In the favor of Heaven and 
the wisdom of our Congress we repose all our hope 
and confidence. Participating, I trust, in the glori- 
ous spirit of the times, and contemplating improve- 
ment in my professional pursuits, motives of patrio- 
tism and private interest prompt me to hazard my 
fortune in this noble conflict, with my brethren in 
the Provincial army. From the critical and embar- 
rassed situation of our country, numerous and almost 
insurmountable difficulties are opposed to my view ; 
and I am too young to possess a maturity of judgment, 
but yet unable to resist the impulse of enthusiasm 
which characterizes the times. My friends afford 
me no encouragement, alleging, that as this is a civil 
war, if I should fall into the hands of the British the 
gallows will be my fate. The terrors of the gallows 
are not to be conquered, but I must indulge the hope 
that I may escape it. Hundreds of my superiors may 
take their turn before mine shall come. The tories 
assail me with the following powerful arguments. 
^'Young man, are you sensible you are about to violate 
your duty to the best of kings, and run headlong into 
destruction ? Be assured that this rebellion will be 
of short duration. The royal army is all powerful, 
and will, in a few months, march through the country 
and bring all to subjection ; for they are experienced 
in war and expert in discipline. Their fleet is able to 
destroy evei-y seaport town and beat down all our 
cities. There remains no rational alternative but a 
reconciliation and renewed obedience to our lawful 
government ; or we shall soon experience their just 
4 



26 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

vengeance. What is your army but an undisciplined 
rabble? Can they stand against an army of regulars? 
where are your cannon, your fire arms, your bayonets, 
and all your implements of war? above all, where is 
your treasure, and where can you look for a barrel 
of gun powder? the whole country can scarcely 
afford a sufficiency for a battle of an hour." Not a 
small portion of their reasoning I feel to be just and 
true. I am not certain, however, but much of it 
may prove erroneous. The result of the late battle 
at Charlestown should convince the most incredulous 
lory, that our soldiers will face the regular troops, 
and that we are blessed with the smiles of Heaven on 
our exertions. It would be presumption in me to 
determine as to possibilities and prospects ; but the 
voice of liberty cannot be stifled, while the welfare 
and hayjpiness of more than three millions of people 
now in America, and of unborn millions, are involved 
in the issue. Our rulers are the most competent 
judges, and under their banners I shall venture, 
I hope not rashly, to enlist, and trust my destiny in 
the hands of a kind and overruling Providence. My 
contemplated enterprise, it is true, requires the ex- 
perience and resohition of riper years than tweny one, 
and qualifications, which I do not possess, to ingratiate 
myself with strangers and those in authority. Hav- 
ing consulted Joseph Otis, Esq. of Barnstable, on this 
occasion, he immediately applauded my enterprise, 
and politely furnished me with a letter to his brother- 
in-law,^ James Warren, Esq. of Plymouth, who is 
President of our Provincial Congress at Watertown. 
Imagination could not fail to paint my prospects in 
bright colors, and 1 proceeded, July the 3d, with 
alacrity to the seat of Congress. I was not disap- 
pointed in my interview with Mr. Warren ; my 
letter procured for me a favorable and polite recep- 
tion. He honored me with his friendsliip and kind 
assistance, and introduced me to his lady, whose 
father's family and my own, have for many years 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 27 

been on terms of friendly intercourse. The office 
which I solicit is one in the medical department, in 
the provincial hospital at Cambridge. A medical 
board, consisting of Drs. Holton and Taylor, are 
appointed to examine the candidates ; and they added 
my name to the list for examination, on the 10th 
instant. This state of suspense continuing several 
days, excites in my mind much anxiety and solicitude, 
apprehending that my stock of medical knowledge, 
when scamied by a learned committee, may be deemed 
inadequate, and all my hopes be blasted. While on 
my journey, a visit of a few days to my friends at 
Plymouth, gave me an opportunity to pay my res- 
pects to the rock^ which received the first footsteps 
of our venerated forefathers. The inhabitants of 
this ancient town, from a reverence for the memory 
of the virtuous band of brothers from whom we de- 
rive our origin, have lately with commendable zeal 
and much labor, split ofl' the upper portion of the 
rock, and removed it to a public square near the 
church and court house. This rock, with its associa- 
tions, would seem almost capable of imparting that 
love of country, and that moral virtue, which our 
times so much require. We seem holding converse 
with the celestial spirits, and receiving monition from 
those who are at rest in their graves. Have these 
ancient sages bequeathed their mantle to posterity ? 
Can we set our feet on their rock without swearing, 
by the spirit of our fathers, to defend it and our 
country? If we reflect on their matchless enterprise, 
their fortitude, and their suiferings, we must be in- 
spired with the spirit of patriotism, and the most 
invincible heroism. Unappalled by the dangers of 
unknown seas, and the perils and the hardships of 
a savage wilderness, they left their native country 
and undertook a settlement which promises, through 
ages, to remain the rich abode of knowledge, religion, 
virtue and freedom. Let us then cherish a becoming 
sense of the exalted privileges inherited from our 



Si^ MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

ancestors, and resolve to defend them against all 
attempts of a corrupt administration. 

July. — I improve the interim of my suspense 
to record an authentic narrative of the hattle on 
Breed's hill, on the 17th of June. Intelligence had 
been received that it was the intention of General 
Gage to post a part of his troops, within a few days, 
on a promontory just at the entrance of the penin- 
sula at Charlestown, called Bunker's hill. It was 
deemed important that our troops should possess 
themselves of this eminence, before the enemy could 
occupy it. Accordingly orders were given to Colonel 
Prescott a veteran of the last war, with one thousand 
men to march silently in the evening of the 16th 
of June, and tlirow up some intrenchments on the 
height of Bunker's hill. By some mistake they 
took possession of Breed's hill, which being about 
one fourth of a mile nearer Boston, was less capable 
of being defended. From some cause, the detach- 
ment was delayed in their labor, till 12 o'clock ; but 
such was their alacrity, that before day light they 
had formed a small redoubt and some imperfect line 
of defence. About 4 o'clock in the morning the 
British were astonished to behold the works which 
had been thrown up in a single night, within a short 
distance of their vessels, without giving the least 
alarm. They immediately commenced a tremendous 
cannonade from their shipping, their floating batte- 
ries, and from all their fortifications, which could 
have a bearing on the American works. Bombs and 
shot were incessantly rolling among the provincials 
during the forenoon, till the royal grenadiers and 
light infantry could be prepared to make their for- 
midable attack ; yet one man only w-as killed ; and 
the Americans courageously persevered in strength- 
ening their works. They received in the course of 
the forenoon a small reinforcement, which augmented 
their number to about fifteen hundred, and this was 
Hot much exceeded during the day of battle. It was 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 29 

by an unaccountable error that those people, who 
had been laboring all the night, were not relieved 
by others, nor even furnished with provisions before 
the battle. Generals Putnam, Warren and Pome- 
roy, animated and encouraged the troops with their 
presence. At about 1 o'clock, 17th of June, the 
royal forces were observed to cross the river from 
Boston, and land on the shore at Charlestown ; 
at the head of these veterans were Major General 
Howe and Brigadier General Pigot j their force 
consisted of about three thousand men, well provid- 
ed with field artillery. They formed in two lines, 
their officers haranging them probably in such lan- 
guage as this. '^ Those cowardly rebels must and 
shall be put to flight. See the dastardly Yankees 
with rusty guns and scarcely a bayonet among them. 
March on, my lads, march on, show them that you 
are Britons ; show them these dazzling arms, and 
bayonets bright and sharp, and you shall soon see 
them take to their heels and run/*' Hear the voice 
of Putnam, of Prescott and Warren. <' See my 
brave soldiers that phalanx approaching ; these lines 
must and shall be defended ; these are the cruel 
enemies to your freedom ; they have come to enslave 
you ; remember their barbarous murders of our 
friends at Lexington ; fight manfully, and they shall 
be vanquished, reserve your fire till their near ap- 
proach ; then with a sure aim cut them down, cut 
them down, and the victory shall be ours." The 
regulars deliberately advance to the attack, the gren- 
adiers in front. The Americans reserve their fire till 
the enemy are within eight or ten rods, that they may 
do effectual execution ; when, by a general discharge 
of musketry and field artillery, several officers and 
men are seen to fall, ^' their ranks are thinned ; see 
the ground covered with the slain ; see those wound- 
ed officers borne off the field." The conflict be- 
comes close, and such are the fatal effects of the 
incessant and furious discharge of our musketry, that 



30 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

the regulars retreat in disorder and many of them 
flee even to their boats. The officers greatly agitat- 
ed pursue their men and threaten them with their 
swords ; with great difficulty they are rallied, and 
commanded to advance again to the attack. The 
provincials are prepared, and when sufficiently near, a 
deadly fire from their ranks puts the enemy a second 
time to flight, leaving such numbers of dead and 
wounded that several of their officers exclaim, ^' It 
is downright butchery to lead the men on afresh 
against the lines.'' At this critical moment Major 
General Clinton, who till now had been a spectator 
with General Burgoyne on Copp's hill in Boston, 
passed over and entered the field, just in time to 
unite his effiarts with those of the other officers for 
the purpose of forcing the regulars to renew the 
attack. The Americans still remain firm and coura- 
geous at their posts ; but unfortunately it was now 
discovered that their powder was nearly expended, 
and another supply could not be procured. The 
enemy now change the position of their cannon and 
place them in a situation to rake the inside of our 
breast work in its whole course, which at length 
obliges the provincials to retire within their little 
redoubt. The firing from the British ships, and 
other armed vessels and batteries, is now pushed to 
the utmost extremity ; the regulars are impelled 
forward by their officers, and our redoubt is attacked 
on three sides at the same time. Our brave men 
continue their resistance, and actually confront the 
enemy with the butt end of their muskets after they 
had entered the fort. A party of our men under 
command of Captain Knowlton had taken up a post 
and rail fence, and placing it against another, filled 
the vacancy with newly mowed hay, which served 
as a slight defence. Tiie British light infantry at- 
tempted to force this little party from their stand, 
and by tliis means to cut off the retreat of our troops. 
In this they displayed the greatest bravery, but their 



militahy journal, 1775. 31 

opposcrs poured forth their reserved and formidable 
fire in such a manner as to produce astonishing execu- 
tion, and to arrest their progress, till the whole of 
the Americans could eflect a retreat. The narrow 
neck of land over which alone the provincials could 
retire, was so securely guarded by a man of war and 
two floating batteiies, as to render it extremely 
hazardous to pass over ; but notwithstanding their in- 
lessant liring, our loss there was quite inconsiderable. 
The provincials were obliged to leave five pieces of 
field artillery in the hands of the enemy, finding it 
impossible to remove them. But a loss infinitely to 
be lamented, and which occasions universal grief and 
sorrow, is that of Major General Joseph Warren. 
This distinguished patriot and hero was, but a few 
days before, appointed by Congress to the rank of 
Major General in our army. Such was his zeal and 
ardor that he rushed into the battle foremost in 
danger with his musket, and encouraged the soldiers 
by his example, till near the close of the battle, when 
he received a fatal shot and immediately expired. 
The loss at this crisis of a man possessing so much 
public virtue and military ardor is almost irreparable. 
But the valor with which he is signalized reflects 
glory on his memory. It yet remains to mention 
that on this ever memorable day, just at the com- 
mencement of the battle, General Howe ordered the 
handsome town of Charlestown to be set on fire, that 
the smoke might conceal their mancEuvres. The 
town consisted of upwards of three hundred dwelling 
houses, some of them elegant, and about two hundred 
buildings of other descriptions, which contained prop- 
erty and goods to a large amount, belonging to the 
xlistresscd inhabitants of Boston. Fire was commu- 
nicated to a number of houses, which, being wafted 
by the wind, soon reached the sacred temple, when 
the flames issued from its lofty spire ; while from the 
conflagration and the embattled field, smoke mingled 
\vith smoke in m/ijestio columns, and ascended to the 



32 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

clouds. This, with the roaring of cannon, sheets of 
fire from the musketry, and the awful slaughter, 
formed a spectacle which for sublimity and grandeur 
has never perhaps been exceeded. This most dread- 
ful scene, with all its concomitant horrors, was within 
view of a vast concourse of agonized spectators, posted 
on the tops of houses and steeples in Boston, and on 
numerous surrounding hills, hundreds of whom were 
trembling for the fate of a parent, a husband or a 
brother. Well might a devout person exclaim, Good 
Heavens ! what a scene do I behold ! what carnage 
of the human race ! what sacrifice of precious life. 
My God ! stay thy hand, restrain a further effusion 
of human blood, spare the innocent, let punishment 
fall on the heads of the guilty. Is there not some 
hidden curse in reserve for our country's foes ! At 
the head of the British army General Howe advanc- 
ed with undaunted bravery, continually pressing into 
the most exposed situation. It is truly wonderful 
that he escaped with only a wound in his foot. The 
valiant Major Pitcairn, who was so conspicuously 
active at Lexington, was among the first who mount- 
ed our breast works, and at the moment when he was 
heard to exclaim, " the day is ours," the fatal ball 
pierced his body and he fell. His son, a Captain, 
received him in his arms, with all the ardor of 
filial love and tender sympathy, and bore him to the 
boat where he expired. On the American side. Gen- 
erals Putnam, Warren, Pomeroy, and Colonel Prescott 
were emphatically the heroes of the day, and their 
unexampled efforts were crowned with glory. The 
incomparable Colonel Prescott marched at the head of 
the detachment, and though several general officers 
were present, he retained the command during the 
action. He displayed a native daring bravery alto- 
gether unrivalled, and infused the conquering spirit 
of a soldier into the hearts of all who were under his 
command, and crowned himself with immortal honor. 
Colonel John Stark commanded a regiment from 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 33 

New Hampshire, and signalized himself by his ac- 
tive bravery. His very valiant Major McClary was 
killed by a cannon ball while recrossing Charlestown 
neck, which is lamented as a public loss. On this 
never to be forgotten occasion a fair opportunity was 
presented for the trial of the courage and prowess 
of the people of New England, when contending 
for ^heir constitutional freedom. They marched to 
the field as an undisciplined, inexperienced body of 
yeomanry, rather than as professed warriors ; a large 
majority of them carrying ordinary fire arms, ua- 
provided with bayonets, and habited in the style of 
country laborers. It was their lot to contend with 
an army of disciplined veterans, professedly experi- 
enced in the art of warfare, uniformly clothed and 
armed, and commanded by generals whose names, 
even in Europe, are little less than a host. 

The comparative force of the two armies was 
about two to one, against the provincials, besides 
the royal artillery ships, and other armed vessels. 
What in fact is the result of this most unequal com- 
bat ? Certain it is, that on the first and the second 
onset, the veterans were fairly repulsed, and whatever 
advantage was ultimately obtained, was at the ex- 
pense of some of their most valuable ofiicers, and the 
flower of the British grenadiers and light infantry. 
These two corps, at the moment of their first onset, 
lost three fourths of their number ; of one company 
five, and of another, fourteen only escaped. The 
remarkable disparity of loss is a clear demonstration 
of the superior advantage on our side. It is an ascer- 
tained fact, that of the enemy nineteen commissioned 
officers were killed, and sevejity wounded ; and their 
total loss, according to General Gage, was one thousand 
and fifty four. Of the provincials, the killed and dead 
of their wounds, are one hundred and thirty nine. 
Other wounded, two hundred and seventy eight. 
Prisoners by the enemy thirty six. Total four hun* 
dred and fifty three. The provincials have much 
5 



$4 ^ MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

reason to triumph on the successful issue of this first 
general conflict with veteran troops ; it must tend 
greatly to increase their confidence in their own 
powers, and give them a serious impression that we 
are favored with the smiles of Heaven. Had our 
troops been furnished with a sufficient quantity of 
ammunition, the enemy must have suffered a total 
defeat. After our troops retreated, the regulars 
took possession of their dear bought Bunker's hill, 
and immediately fortified themselves there. It is 
said that some of the veteran British officers, who 
have been in some hard fought battles in Europe, 
observed, that they had never witnessed any one 
equal in severity to that on Breed's hill. It is pre- 
sumed they will no longer apply the term paltroons 
to American soldiers. A considerable number of 
tories, whose zeal for the royal cause led them into 
battle, were killed or wounded. Our army has taken 
post at Cambridge and Roxbury, in such a manner 
as to invest the town of Boston. Our general officers 
are Generals Ward, Pomeroy, Thomas and Heath, 
of Massachusetts colony, and General Putnam from 
Connecticut. 

On the day appointed, the medical candidates, six- 
teen in number, were summoned before the board 
for examination. This business occupied about four 
hours ; tlie subjects were anatomy, physiology, sur- 
gery and medicine. It was not long after, that I was 
happily relieved from suspense, by receiving the 
sanction and acceptance of the board, with some ac- 
ceptable instructions relative to the faithful discharge 
of duty, and the humane treatment of those soldiers 
who may have the misfortune to require my assistance. 
Six of our number were privately rejected as being 
found unqualified. The examination was in a consid- 
erabJe degree close and severe, which occasioned not 
a little agitation in our ranks. But it was on another 
occasion, as I am told, that a candidate under exami- 
nation was agitated into a state of perspiration, and 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 35 

being required to describe the mode of treatment in 
rheumatism, among other remedies he would promote 
a sweat, atid being asked how he woukl ellect this 
with his patient, after some hesitation he replied, 
'^ I would have him examined by a medical com- 
mittee." I was so fortunate as to obtain the ofllce 
of surgeon's mate in the provincial hospital at Cam- 
bridge, Dr. John Warren being tlie senior surgeon. 
He was the brother and pupil of the gallant General 
Joseph Warren, who was slain in the memorable 
battle on Breed's hill. This gentleman has acquired 
great reputation in his profession, and is distinguish- 
ed for his humanity and attention to the sick and 
wounded soldiers, and for his amiable disposition. 
Havitig received my appointment by the Provincial 
Congress, I commenced my duty in the hospital, July 
15th. Several private, but commodious houses in 
Cambridge are occupied for hospitals, and a con- 
siderable number of soldiers who were wounded at 
Breed's hill, and a greater number of sick of various 
diseases, require all our attention. Dr. Isaac Foster, 
late of Charlestown, is also appointed a senior hos- 
pital surgeon ; and his student, Mr. Josiah Bartlet, 
officiates as his mate ; Dr. Benjamin Church is Direc- 
tor General of the hospital. 

I am informed that General George Washington 
arrived at our provincial camp, in this town, on the 
2d July ; having been appointed, by the unanimous 
voice of the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, 
General and Commander in Chief of all the troops 
raised, and to be raised, for the defence of the United 
Colonies, as they are now termed. They are. New 
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecti- 
cut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware^ 
Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, 
and Georgia. General Washington is a native of Vir- 
ginia ; he was in General Braddock's defeat in 1753, 
and having had considerable experience in the wars 
with the French and Indians on the frontiers of that 



36 MILfTARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

colony, ill former years, — he is supposed to possess 
ample qualifications for the command of our army, and 
the appointment gives universal satisfaction. Such is 
his disinterested patriotism, that he assured Congress, 
on his appointment, that he should receive from the 
public, for his military services, no other compensa- 
tion than the amount of his necessary expenses. He 
has been received here with every mark of respect, 
and addressed by our Provincial Congress in the most 
affectionate and respectful manner. All ranks ap- 
pear to repose full confidence in him as Commander 
in Chief ; it is the fervent prayer of the religiously 
disposed, that he may be instrumental in bringing 
this unhappy controversy to an honorable and speedy 
termination. He is accompanied by General Lee and 
General Gates ; two gentlemen who have held com- 
missions in the royal army. The former is now ap- 
pointed Major General, and the latter Adjutant Gene- 
ral, by our Continental Congress. General Washing- 
ton has established his head-quarters in a convenient 
house, about half a mile from Harvard College, and 
ill the vicinity of our hospital. The provincial army 
is encamped in various parts of this town and Rox- 
bury, and some works have been erected onTrospect 
Hill, and on an eminence near Roxbury church, 
within cannon shot of Boston. The amount of our 
forces I have not ascertained ; but we are daily in- 
creasing in numbers, both of militia and enlisted sol- 
diers. The operations of the war have interrupted 
the progress of education at college ; the students 
have returned to their homes, and the college build- 
ings are occupied by our soldiery. 

July 20th. — This day is devoted to a Public Fast 
throughout the United Colonies, by the recommenda- 
tion of Congress, to implore the Divine benediction 
on our country ; that any further shedding of blood 
may be averted ; and that the calamities with which 
we are afflicted may be removed. Tliis is the first 
General or Continental Fast ever observed since the 



MILITARY JOURNAi., 1775. 3t 

settlement of the colonies. I have been much grati- 
fied this day with a view of General Washington. 
His Excellency was on horseback, in company with 
several military gentlemen. It was not difficult to 
distinguish him from all othei's ; his pereonal appear- 
ance is truly noble and majestic ; being tall and well 
proportioned. His dress is a blue coat with buff 
colored facings, a rich epaulette on each shoulder, 
buff under dress, and an elegant small sword ; a black 
cockade in his hat. 

jlugust. — The firing of cannon is now frequently 
practised from our works at Prospect Hill and Winter 
Hill, advantageous eminences in full view and within 
cannon shot of the enemy's camp on Bunkers Hill ; 
and some shot are returned from the enemy ; but 
without any considerable loss. At Roxbury also our 
people have fortified several hills, and breast works 
are thrown up across tiie main street, within half a 
mile of the British lines; from which cannon shot 
and some bomb shells are every day thrown into 
Boston. The enemy fire their cannon shot into Rox- 
bury, and several have passed through the church ; 
but little damage has yet been sustained, and our 
soldiers become so familiarized to the sight of cannon 
shot rolling among them, that they manifest little or 
no fear of the consequences. The right wing of our 
army at Roxbury is commanded by Major General 
Ward; and the left, at Prospect Hill, by Major 
General Lee. 

The Continental Congress having voted, ^' That a 
sura not exceeding two millions of Spanish milled 
dollars be emitted by them in bills of credit for the 
defence of America"' gold and silver soon disappear- 
ed, and paper bills now circulate instead of specie. 

Several companies of riflemen, amounting, it is 
said, to more tban fourteen hundred men, have 
arrived here from Pennsylvania and Maryland ; a 
distance of from five hundred to seven hundred miles. 
They are remarkably stout and hardy men ; many of 



38 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

them exceeding six feet in height. They are dressed 
in white frocks, or rifle shirts, and round hats. These 
men are remarkable for the accuracy of their aim ; 
striking a mark with great certainty at two hundred 
yards distance. At a review, a company of them, 
while on a quick advance, fired their balls into ob- 
jects of seven inches diameter, at the distance of two 
hundred and fifty yards. They are now stationed on 
our lines, and their shot have frequently proved fatal 
to British officers and soldiers, who expose them- 
selves to view, even at more than double the distance 
of common musket shot. 

October. — An event of considerable importance 
has occurred, which occasions much surprise and 
speculation. Dr. Benjamin Church has long sustain- 
ed high reputation as a patriot and son of liberty. 
He has, for some time, been a member of our House 
of Representatives ; and has been appointed Surgeon 
General and Director of our Hospitals. This gentle- 
man has just been detected in a traitorous corres- 
pondence with the enemy in Boston. A letter in 
cipher, written by him, was intrusted to the care of 
a female, with whom he was well acquainted, to be 
conveyed to Boston. On examination, the woman 
absolutely refused to reveal the name of the writer, 
till she was terrified by the threats of severe punish- 
ment ; when she named Dr. Church, he was greatly 
agitated and confounded, manifested marks of guilt, 
and made no attempt to vindicate himself. But after 
the letter was deciphered, and he had taken time to 
reflect, he used all his powers of persuasion to make 
it appear that the letter contained no information that 
would injure the American cause ; and made a solemn 
appeal to heaven that it was written for the purpose 
of procuring some important intelligence from the 
enemy. He was tried, convicted, and expelled from 
the House of Representatives ; and Congress after- 
wards resolved, " that he be closely confined in some 
secure jail in Connecticut, without the use of pen., 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 39 

ink, or paper; and that no pei-son be allowed to 
converse with him, except in the presence and hear- 
ing of a magistrate, or the sheriff of the county."* 

I have just returned from a ramble to Roxbury, 
with a view of examining the camp and works in that 
quarter. Not meeting with any person witli whom 
I am acquainted, I returned after a slight view of the 
lines and the church in that town, which is pierced 
through in many places by cannon shot from the 
euemy. 

10th. — General Gage has sailed for England ; and 
the command of the army, has devolved on General 
William Howe. He has issued a proclamation, pro- 
hibiting all persons attempting to quit the town, with- 
out a written license, on penalty of military execu- 
tion, if taken, and if they escape they are to be pro- 
ceeded against as traitors, and tlieir effects to be for- 
feited ; and also declaring, that if any, who are 
licensed to depart, attempt carrying away more than 
five pounds in specie, they shall forfeit the whole 
sum discovered, beside suffering fine and imprison- 
ment. Such is the wretched condition of the Bosto- 
nians since their native town has been converted into 
a royal garrison. It is recollected that in April last, 
it was agreed between General Gage and a committee 
of the town, that on the inhabitants in general sur- 
rendering up their fire arms to the care of the select- 
men, all such inhabitants as were desirous of remov- 
ing out of town, should have this liberty, with their 
families and effects. The town voted to comply with 
this proposal, and General Gage on his part confirm- 
ed the same. It was also stipulated, that those per- 
sons in the country who should incline to remove into 
Boston should be permitted to cliange their residence 
without molestation. The fire arms were accordingly 
surrendered, and some of the inhabitants were allovv- 

* Dr. Church was finally perniiUed to depart from the country. He 
and his family embarked for the West Indies, the vessel foundered at 
5«a and all were lost. 



40 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 

ed to depart ; but it was not long before General 
Gage found various pretences to violate his stipula- 
tion, and prohibited any further removals ; in con- 
sequence of which many families were compelled to 
a cruel separation ; husbands and wives, parents and 
children were separated, and the aged and infirm left 
without protection. 

The term for which the continental soldiers enlist- 
ed will expire in a few weeks, and it is understood 
that the recruits for a future army will be enlisted to 
serve to the 1st of December next, unless sooner dis- 
charged, as hopes are yet entertained that a settlement 
of our difficulties with Great Britain may be effected. 
Reports are in circulation that an attack on the town 
of Boston is contemplated ; or, that the plan has been 
agitated and is relinquished, till our people can pass 
over on the ice. The public appear to be impatient 
to have our inveterate enemies expelled from our 
territories. 

JVovember. — Our hospitals are considerably crowd- 
ed with sick soldiers from camp ; the prevailing dis- 
eases are autumnal fevers and dysenteric complaints, 
which have proved fatal in a considerable number of 
instances. It is highly gratifying to observe, that 
these brave men, while in the service of their conntry, 
receive in sickness all the kind attention from phy- 
sicians and nurses, which their circumstances require ; 
they have the prayers and consolations of pious clergy- 
men, and are destitute of nothing, but the presence 
of their dearest friends, to alleviate their sufferings. 

I am sorry to have occasion to notice in my journal 
the following occurrence. The body of a soldier has 
been taken from the grave, for the purpose, probably 
of dissection, and the empty coffin left exposed. This 
affair occasions considerable excitement among our 
people ; both resentment and grief are manifested ; 
as it seems to impress the idea that a soldier's body 
is held in no estimation after death. Such a practice, 
if countenanced, might be attended with serious con- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1775. 41 

sequences as it respects our soldiers. Much inquiry 
has been made, but without success, for the discovery 
ol" tlie persons concerned ; and the practice in future 
is strictly prohibited by the commander in chief. 

The joyful intelligence is now announced in the 
public papei*s, that Captain Manly of Marblehead, 
commander of one of our privateers, has captured an 
English ship, bound to Boston, loaded with ordnance 
stores, of immense value at the present time. Among 
the ordnance is a larQ;c brass mortar on a new con- 
struction ; and a nunjber of pieces of fine brass can- 
non. There are small arms, ammunition, utensils, 
vtc. &c. in great abundance. An invoice, it is said, 
could scarcely be formed of articles better suited to 
our wants and circumstances. Several other store 
vessels have been taken by our privateers, with car- 
goes of provision and various kinds of stores, to a 
very considerable amount, which greatly augments 
the distresses of the troops and people in Boston, 
and affords us a very opportune and essential supply. 
It is now represented that the distresses of the inhabi- 
tants and troo])s in Boston exceed the possibility of 
description. They are almost in a state of starvation, 
for the want of food and fuel. The inhabitants, to- 
tally destitute of vegetables, flour and fresh provi- 
sions, have actually been obliged to feed on horse 
flesh ; and the troops confined to salt provisions ; by 
means of which they have become very sickly. They 
have taken down a number of houses, removed the 
pews from the church, and are digging up the tim- 
ber at the wharves for fuel. 

December 2d. — I visited the park of artillery, and 
was much gratiGed to find a collection of ordnance 
far exceeding my expectations, and such as is sup' 
posed by some to be adequate to our present exigence. 
I had a view of the large brass mortar taken by Cap- 
tain Manly ; it is now called the Congi'ess and will 
soon be prepared to speak in strong terms to its for- 
mer masters. 

6 



42 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

Ath. — A considerable number of Connecticut troops 
have left our service and returned home ; no per- 
suasion could induce them to continue in service after 
their time of enlistment had expired. Enlisting 
ofiicers are distributed in various parts of New Eng- 
land ; but it is reported that voluntary enlistments go 
on slowly. The people seem to be unwilling to en- 
gage in the public service, and require higher wages. 
The spirit of patriotism appears in some degree to 
have subsided, and the militia are to be employed. 

ll^A. — A party of militia, said to be about two 
thousand, have arrived in camp ; and information 
is received that three thousand more are on their 
march. A few enlisted soldiers have arrived ; but 
so destitute are they of fire arms, that it has been 
found necessary to take the arms by force from the 
soldiers who retire, paying for them, in order to 
supply the recruits. 

ISth. — The Americans have advanced and broken 
ground at Lechmere's Point, within half a mile of 
Boston ; which occasioned a severe cannonade from 
the enemy ; but they persevered in their work and 
suffered Ijut an inconsiderable loss. It is stated, 
from the minutes of some person, that from Breed's 
Hill battle to the 25 th instant, the British have 
thrown upwards of two thousand shot and shells. By 
the whole firing, on Cambridge side, they killed only 
seven, and on Roxbury side five, just a dozen in the 
whole. At this rate, how many shot and bombs will 
it require to subdue the whole of his majesty's rebel- 
lious subjects ? 

January, 1776. — At the close of the last year, as is 
now reported, our army was reduced to a very critical 
situation, being obliged to substitute new raised troops 
and militia in the place of those who had been in ser- 
vice five or six months ; and this exchange was made 
within musket shot of the enemy's lines. During 
part of this period, our numbers were not sufficient to 
man the lines, nor was there powder enough in camp 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 43 

to furnish four rounds a man. Before our privateers 
had fortunately captured some prizes with cannon 
and otlier ordnance, our army before Boston had, I 
believe, only four small brass cannon and a few old 
honey-comb iron pieces with their trunnions broken 
off; and these were ingeniously bedded in timbers 
in the same manner as that of stocking a musket. 
These machines were extremely unvvieldly and incon- 
venient, requiring much skill and labor to elevate and 
depress them. Had the enemy been made acquaint- 
ed with our situation, the consequences might have 
been exceedingly distressing. 

25th. — The newspapers announce the most painful 
intelligence from our army in Canada. General Mont- 
gomery, the commander, made a desperate, but un- 
successful assault on the city of Quebec, on the 31st 
ultimo. The event has proved most fatal and dis- 
astrous. General Montgomery, and his aid-de-camp, 
with several other officers, were slain. Colonel Ar- 
nold, the second in command, heroically passed the 
first barrier with his small party, and received a 
wound in his leg. About three hundred of the con- 
tinental troops were made prisoners, and about sixty 
killed and wounded. We remain unacquainted with 
further particulai's. The death of General Mont- 
gomery is universally deplored. In the public papers 
we have the following account of this brave officer. 
" He was a captain of grenadiei*s in the 17th regiment 
of British troops, of wiiich General Monckton was 
colonel. He served the last war in the expeditions in 
the West Indies and America, and returned with his 
regiment to England. In 1772 he quitted his regi- 
ment, though in a fair way of preferment. Whilst in 
America he imbibed an affection for this country — he 
had, while in the king's service, declared his disap- 
probation of the sentiments of the ministry, and viewed 
America as the rising seat of arts and freedom.'' 

February 9th. — A very considerable firing was 
heard last evening from Boston ; it was occasioned by 



44 MILITAllY JOURNAL, 1776. 

a detachment of one hundred men, under the com- 
mand of Major Knowlton, v/ho made an incursion into 
Charlcstovvn, for the purpose of burning a number of 
houses, to deprive the enemy of their use. He 
effected the object of his expedition by burning about 
ten houses in the possession of the enemy, and returned 
in less than two hours, bringing off some muskets, 
without the loss of a single man either killed or 
wounded. 

14:th. — The following anecdote is worth notice ; 
it appears by extracts from letters written by the 
officers who are the subjects of it. Some British 
officers, soon after General Gage arrived at Boston, 
while walking on Beacon Hill in the evening, were 
frightened by noises in the air, which they took 
to be the whizzing of bullets. They left the hill 
with great precipitation, and reported that they 
were shot at with air guns, and wrote frightful ac- 
counts of the affair to their friends in England. The 
whizzing noise which so alarmed these valiant officers, 
could be no other than the buzzing of bugs and 
beetles, while flying in the air. 

16th. — It might be supposed that the melancholy 
aspect of the times, and the dreadful disappointments 
and privations of the British officers and tories in 
Boston, would afford matter for the most serious con- 
sideration, and effectually check every emotion bor- 
dering on levity and amusement. We find however 
that they do not deny themselves balls and theatrical 
amusements, for they say in the language of the poet, 

" What need of piping for the songs and sherry, 
" When our own miseries can make us merry." 

It is asserted from Boston, that on the evening 
when Major Knowlton set fire to the houses in Charles- 
town, 8th instant, the farce of ^^ The Blockade of 
Boston,^^ of which General Burgoyne is the reputed 
author, was to be performed. The figure designed 
to burlesque General Washington was dressed in an 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 45 

uncouth style, with a large wig and long rusty sword, 
attended by his orderly sergeant in his country dress, 
having on his shoulder an old rusty gun seven or 
eight feet long. At the moment this figure appeared 
on the stage, one of the regular sergeants came run- 
ning on the stage, threw down his bayonet, and ex- 
claimed, " The Yankees are attacking our works on 
Bunkei^'s Hill." Those of the audience who were 
unacquainted with the different parts, supposed that 
this belonged to the farce : but when General Howe 
called out, Officers to your alarm posts, they were 
undeceived ; all was confusion and dismay; and among 
the ladies, shrieking and fainting ensued. How pure 
the satisfaction to a great mind employed in bur- 
lesquing those Yankees by whom they are besieged ! 

ISth. — Dr. John Morgan of Philadelphia is ap- 
pointed by Congress Director General of our hospitals, 
instead of Dr. Church, removed. Shice his arrival 
here, a new and systematic arrangement in the medi- 
cal department has taken place ; the number of sur- 
geons' mates in the hospital is to be reduced, and 
vacancies in regiments are to be supplied. I have 
been subjected to another examination by Dr. Mor- 
gan, and received from liim the appointment of sur- 
geon's mate to Dr. David Townsend, in the regiment 
commanded by Colonel Asa Whitcomb, stationed in 
the barracks on Prospect Hill. 

22(1. — Our regiment, according to orders, marched 
to Roxbury ; and took quartei*s in the large and ele- 
gant house formerly belonging to Governor Shirley. 
Great preparations are making in our army for some 
important event. Several regiments of militia have 
arrived from the country ; and orders have been re- 
ceived for surgeons and mates to prepare lint and 
bandages, to the amount of two thousand, for fractured 
limbs, and other gun shot wounds. It is however to 
be hoped that not one quarter of the number will be 
required, whatever may be the nature of the occa- 
sion. Great activity and animation are observed. 



46 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

among our officers and soldiers, who manifest an anxi- 
ous desire to have a conflict with the enemy. Either 
a general assault on the town of Boston, or the erec- 
tion of works on the heights of Dorchester, or both, 
is generally supposed to be in contemplation. 

March 2d. — A very heavy discharge of cannon 
and mortars commenced from all our works at Cam- 
bridge and Roxbury. 

3f/. — The firing from our works continues, but the 
great brass mortar, the Congress, and two others, 
have unfortunately burst ; which is exceedingly re- 
gretted. 

Ath. — The object in view is now generally under- 
stood to be the occupying and fortifying of the advan- 
tageous heights of Dorchester. A detachment of our 
troops is ordered to march for this purpose this even- 
ing ; and our regiment, with several others, has re- 
ceived orders to march at 4 o'clock in the morning, 
to relieve them. We are favored with a full bright 
moon, and the night is remarkably mild and pleasant ; 
the preparations are immense ; more than three hun- 
dred loaded carts are in motion. By the great exer- 
tions of General Mifflin, our Quarter Master General, 
the requisite number of teams has been procured. 
The covering party of eight hundred men advance 
in front. Then follow the carts with the entrench- 
ing tools ; after which, the working party of twelve 
hundred, commanded by General Thomas, of Kings- 
ton. Next in the martial procession are a train of 
carts, loaded witli fascines and hay, screwed into large 
bundles of seven or eight hundred weight. The 
w'hole procession moved on in solemn silence, and 
with perfect order and regularity; while the con- 
tinued roar of cannon serves to engage the attention 
and divert the enemy from the main object. 

bth. — At about four o'clock our regiment followed 
to the heights of Dorchester, as a relief party. On 
passing Dorchester Neck I observed a vast number 
of lai'ge bundles of screwed hay, arranged in a line 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 47 

next the enemy, to protect our troops from a raking 
fire, to wliich we should have heen greatly exposed, 
while passing and repassing. The carts were still in 
motion with materials ; some of them have made three 
or four trips. On the heights we found two forts in 
considerable forwardness, and sujRicient for a defence 
against small arms and grape shot. The amount of 
labor performed during the night, considering the 
earth is frozen eighteen inches deep, is almost incred- 
ible. The enemy having discovered our works in 
the morning, commenced a tremendous cannonade 
from the forts in Boston, and from their shipping in 
the harbor. Cannon shot are continually rolling and 
rebounding over the hill ; and it is astonishing to 
observe how little our soldiers are terrified by them. 
During the forenoon we were in momentary expec- 
tation of witnessing an awful scene ; nothing less 
than the carnage of Breed's hill battle was expected. 
The royal troops are perceived to be in motion, as if 
embarking to pass the harbor, and land on Dorches- 
ter shore, to attack our works. The hills and eleva- 
tions in this vicinity are covered with spectators to 
witness deeds of horror in the expected conflict. 
His Excellency General Washington is present, an- 
imating and encouraging the soldiers, and they in 
return manifest their joy, and express a warm desire 
for the approach of the enemy ; each man knows his 
place, and is resolute to execute his duty. Our breast 
works are strengthened, and among the means of 
defence are a great number of barrels, filled with 
stones and sand, arranged in front of our works ; 
which are to be put in motion and made to roll down 
the hill, to break the ranks and legs of the assailants as 
they advance. These are the preparations for blood 
and slaughter ! Gracious God ! if it be determined in 
thy Providence that thousands of our fellow creatures 
shall this day be slain, let thy wrath be appeased, 
and in mercy grant, that victory be on the side of our 
suffering, bleeding, country. The anxious day 



48 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

has closed, and the enemy has failed to molest us- 
From appearances, however, there are strong reasons 
to suppose, that they have only postponed their 
meditated work till another day. It is presumed 
that the martial fire, which has been enkindled in 
the breasts of our soldiery, will not be extinguished 
during the night, and that they will not rest quietly 
under their disappointment. Early in the morning 
of the 6th, our regiment was relieved from its tour 
of duty, and I bade adieu to Dorchester heights, 
without being called to dress a single wound. Not 
more than two or three men were killed or wounded 
during the twenty four hours. Some of the British 
troops were seen to embark, and pass down towards 
the castle last evening, to be in readiness, it was sup- 
posed, in conjunction with others, to attack our works 
this morning ; but a most violent storm came on in 
the night, and still continuing, obliges General Howe 
to abandon his enterprise, and thus has a kind Provi- 
dence seen fit to frustrate a design, which must have 
been attended with immense slaughter and blood 
shed. General Howe must now be sensible of his 
exposed situation, and be convinced of the immedi- 
ate necessity of evacuating the town of Boston, if 
he would prevent the sacrifice of his fleet and army. 

7th. — There are strong indications in Boston, that 
the king's troops are preparing to evacuate the town ; 
and that no attempt will be made to dispossess our 
people of the works, which we have constructed on 
Dorchester heights. 

%th. — A flag of truce has come out of Boston with 
a message from the selectmen ; acquainting General 
Washington that General Howe has come to the de- 
termination to evacuate the town ; and that he 
would leave it standing, provided his army should be 
permitted to retire without being molested. At the 
same time intimating, as is reported, that in case he 
should be attacked by our army, the town should be 
set on fire in diflerent places, in order to secure his 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 49 

retreat. We are unacquainted with the determina- 
tion of his Excellency respecting (his proposition ; 
but it is well known that he has been in favor of 
making an attack on the town ; and tliat the neces- 
sary preparations were made, and the plan arranged, 
to be put in execution, in the event of the enemy's 
meditated attack on our works at Dorchester heights. 
Four thousand troops, the first division commanded 
by General Sullivan, the second by General Greene, 
were ordered to be in readiness, and in case the 
enemy had advanced and been defeated on the 
heights of Dorchester, this force, at a given signal, 
was to have rushed into the town and taken possession. 

It is credibly reported from Boston, that on the 
morning when the British officers discovered our 
newly erected works, which, on account of a fog 
loomed to great advantage, and appeared larger than 
the reality, General Howe, on viewing them, was 
heard to say in astonishment, "I know not what I 
shall do, the rebels have done more in one night than 
my whole army would have done in weeks. His 
admiral soon assured him that if the rebels were per- 
mitted to hold possession, he should not be able to 
keep a sinHe ship in the harbor in safety. 

Nothing of consequence occurred to observation till 
Sunday morning, March 17th, when at an early hour 
it was perceived that the royal army commenced their 
embarkation on board of transports. In the course 
of the forenoon we enjoyed the unspeakable satisfac- 
tion of beholding their whole fleet under sail, waft- 
ing from our shores the dreadful scourge of war. It 
was in the power of the provincials by a cannonade 
to have annoyed the enemy's shipping and trans- 
ports as they passed Dorchester heights, and to have 
occasioned great embarrassment and destruction 
among them ; but no orders were given for this 
purpose, and they were suffered to pass unmolested. 
By this event we are happily relieved of a force con- 
sisting of seven thousand five hundred and seventy 
7 



50 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

five regulars, exclusive of the staiF, which, with the 
marines and sailors, may be estimated at about ten 
thousand in the whole. This force greatly exceeds the 
five regiments, with which General Grant vauntingly 
boasted in England, that he could march successfully 
from one end of the American continent to the other. 
A considerable number of tories, who had joined the 
royal standard, took passage with their families on 
board of the transports with the army, and bade 
adieu to their native country, without knomng what 
part of tlie world is to be their destiny. 

Immediately after the enemy sailed from Boston 
harbor. General Washington ordered the major part 
of his army to march to New York, to secure that 
city against the apprehended invasion of General 
Howe. It was not till Wednesday, the 20th, that 
our troops were permitted to enter the town, when 
our regiment, with two or three others, were ordered 
to march in, and take up our quarters, which were 
provided for us in comfortable houses. While march- 
ing through the streets, the inhabitants appeared at 
their doors and windows ; though they manifested 
a lively joy on being liberated from a long imprison- 
ment, they were not altogether free from a melan- 
choly gloom which ten tedious months' siege has 
spread over their countenances. The streets and 
buildings present a scene, which reflects disgrace on 
their late occupants, exhibiting a deplorable desola- 
tion and wretchedness. 

22(/. — A concourse of people from the country are 
crowding into town, full of friendly solicitude ; and 
it is truly interesting to witness the tender interviews 
and fond embraces of those, who have been long 
separated under circumstances so peculiarly dis- 
tressing. But it is particularly unfortunate on this 
occasion, that the small pox is lurking in various 
parts of the town ; which deters many from enjoying 
an interview with their friends. The parents and 
sister of my friend Dr. Townsend have continued in 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 51 

town during the siege ; being introduced to tlic 
family by the Doctor, 1 received a kind and polite 
invitation to take up my abode with them, where I 
am enjoying the kindest attentions and civilities. I 
accompanied several gentlemen to view the British 
fortifications on Roxbury neck, where I observed 
a prodigious niunber of little military engines called 
caltrops, or crow feet, scattered over the ground in 
the vicinity of the works to impede the march of our 
troops in case of an attack. The implement consists 
of an iron ball armed with four sharp points about 
one inch in length, so formed that which way soever 
it may fall one point still lies upwards to pierce the 
feet of horses or men, and are admirably well calcu- 
lated to obstruct the march of an enemy. 

23c?. — I went to view the Old South Church, a spa- 
cious brick building near the centre of the town. It 
has been for more than a century consecrated to the 
service of religion, and many eminent divines have in 
its pulpit labored in teaching the ways of righteous- 
ness and truth. But during the late siege the inside 
of it was entirely destroyed by the British, and the 
sacred building occupied as a riding school for Bur- 
goyne's regiment of dragoons. The pulpit and pews 
were removed, the floor covered with earth, and 
used for the purpose of training and exercising their 
horses. A beautiful pew, ornamented with carved 
work and silk furniture, was demolished ; and by 
order of an officer, the carved work, it is said, was 
used as a fence for a hogsty. The North Church, a 
very valuable building, was entirely demolished and 
consumed for fuel. Thus are our houses, devoted 
to religious worship, profaned and destroyed by the 
subjects of his Royal Majesty. His Excellency the 
commander in chief has been received by the inhabi- 
tants with every mark of respect and gratitude ; and 
a public dinner has been provided for him. He 
requested the Rev. Dr. Eliot, at the renewal of his 
customary Thursday Lecture, to preach a thanks- 



52 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

giving sermon, adapted to the joyful occasion. Ac- 
cordingly on the 28th, this pious divine preached an 
appropriate discourse from Isaiah xxxiii. 20, in pres- 
ence of his Excellency and a respectable audience. 

29^A. — ^The Massachusetts House of Representa- 
tives and Council, presented his Excellency a respect- 
ful and affectionate address ; and received from him 
a reply no less respectful and satisfactory. 

One of our soldiers found a human skeleton in 
complete preparation, left by a British surgeon, 
which I have received as an acceptable present. 

April ^th. — I attended at the Stone Chapel, where 
were performed the funeral solemnities over the 
remains of that patriot and hero Major General 
Joseph Warren. The remains were taken from the 
earth at Breed's hill, placed in an elegant coffin, 
and brought into the chapel, where, in the presence 
of a numerous assembly, a eulogy was pronounced 
by Perez Morton, Esq. a young lawyer of abilities. 
The ceremony was conducted by the society of Free 
Masons, of which the deceased was Grand Master. 
A grand procession was formed, and the remains hav- 
ing received the customary masonic honors, were de- 
posited in the vault under the chapel. This pro- 
ceeding was to me a pleasing novelty, and in the 
view of the public, a grateful tribute to the memory 
of a beloved fellow citizen. 

" Let laurels, drench'd in pure Parnafsian dews, 

Reward his niem'ry dear to every muse, 

Who, with a courage of unshaken root, 

la honor's field advancing his firm foot, 

Plants it upon the line that justice draws, 

And will prevail or perish in her cause. 

'Tis to the virtues of such men man owes 

His portion in the good that Heaven bestows. 

And when recording history displaj^s 

Feats of renown, though wrought in ancient days ; 

Tells of a few stout hearts, that fought and died 

Where duty plac'd them, at their country's side ; 

The man that is not raov'd with what he reads. 

That takes not fire at their heroic deeds. 

Unworthy of the blessings of the brave, 

Is base in kind, and born to be a slave." — Cowpeh. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 53 

May. — As the smallpox is in many parts of the 
town among both .the inhabitants and soldiers, I 
was advised by my friends to have recourse to inocu- 
lation for my own safety, though contrary to general 
orders, I was accordingly inoculated by my friend 
Dr. John Homans, and have passed through the 
disease in the most favorable manner, not suffering 
one day's confinement. 

June I3th. — The harbor of Boston has not been 
entirely cleared of British shipping since the town 
was evacuated. A fifty gun ship and several other 
vessels still occupy the lower harbor, near Nantasket. 
A number of provincial troops and volunteers are 
now ordered on an expedition, under command of 
General Benjamin Lincoln, \yith heavy cannon, for 
the purpose of driving them from the harbor. A 
part of our regiment being ordered on the expedi- 
tion, we embarked at the Long Wharf, and landed 
on Long Island, and immediately made arrangements 
for a cannonade. A few shot soon convinced the 
Commodore of his danger ; he returned the fire with 
some spirit ; but having received a shot through his 
upper works, he soon got under sail and hastily de- 
parted. Thus is the port of Boston again opened 
by our own authority, after being closed during two 
years by virtue of an act of the British Parliament. 

20th. — The removal of the British armed vessels 
from Nantasket has been productive of very favora- 
ble consequences. Three days after their departure 
two transports from Scotland bound to Boston, unap- 
prized of the event, entered Nantasket road, and 
were accosted by a discharge of cannon from an Amer- 
ican battery before they were undeceived. In this 
situation it was impossible for them to escape, and 
several of our privateers made their appearance, and 
commanded them to strike their flag. This being 
refused, a smart action ensued and continued about 
an hour and a half, when they were obliged to 
yield and strike to the privateers. On board the 



54 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

transports Major Menzies and eight others were 
killed, and seventeen wounded. Lieutenant Colonel 
Archibald Campbell, two hundred and sixty seven 
Highlanders, and forty eight others, were made pri- 
soners. Major Menzies has been buried here with 
the honors of war. 

July 3d. — Orders are given to inoculate for the 
smallpox, all the soldiers and inhabitants in town, 
as a general infection of this terrible disease is ap- 
prehended. Dr. Townsend and myself are now 
constantly engaged in this business. 

12th. — Melancholy accounts have been received 
respecting the situation of our army in Canada ; they 
are subjected to very great hardships, sufferings, and 
privations. Destitute of the necessary supplies of 
provisions and stores, exhausted by fatigue, and re- 
duced by sickness, with the smallpox attended by 
unexampled mortality, they are in a state but little 
short of desperation. In addition to all their suffer- 
ings, they now have to deplore the loss of their 
valuable commander Major General John Thomas. 
Tlyfe gentleman was a native of Kingston, Massachu- 
setts. He was in military service in former wars 
against the French and Indians, where he acquired 
a high degree of reputation. He was among the 
first to espouse the cause of his country in a military 
character in 1775, and during the siege of Boston, 
and on the heights of Dorchester, he was distin- 
guished as an active, vigilant and brave officer. In 
March, 1776, he was promoted by Congress from a 
Bngadier to the rank of Major General, and by 
them appointed to command our forces in Canada. 
On his arrival there he "found innumerable difficul- 
ties to encounter ; the smallpox frequently breaking 
out among the troops, and the soldiers being in the 
practice of inoculating themselves, to the great in- 
jury of the public service. The general deemed it 
necessary, for the safety of the army, to prohibit the 
practice of inoculating, and not excepting himself 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 55 

from the injunction, he unfortunately received the 
infection, which proved fatal to him, and deprived 
the public of a valuable general ofiicer. He was 
held in universal respect and confidence as a military 
character, and his death is deeply deplored through- 
out the army. 

The very important intelligence from Philadel- 
phia is now proclaimed, that on the 4th instant, the 
American Congress declared the thirteen United 
Colonies, " Free, Sovereign, Independent States.^^ 
The subject has for some time agitated the public 
mind, and various opinions have been entertained 
relative to this momentous transaction. Opinions of 
much weight and authority have been and still are 
in collision, and it has been considered very doubtful 
whether the grand object would be accomplished at 
the present time. Objections however have yielded 
to imperious necessity, and a new epoch for United 
America has now commenced. We are now, in the 
16th year of the reign of his Majesty King Getorge 
the Third, absolved from all allegiance to the Bmish> 
crown ; and all political connexion between usy^as 
subjects, and his government is totally and forever 
dissolved, unless indeed Providence shall so order, 
that we shall be again reduced to a state of depend- 
ance and vassalage. 

18//i. — This day the declaration of American In- 
dependence has been proclaimed in form from the 
balcony of the State House in this town. On this 
most joyful occasion Colonels Whitcomb and Sar- 
geant's regiments were paraded under arms in King 
street ; and also a detachment from the Massachu- 
setts regiment of artillery with two field pieces. A 
number of the members of our council and house of 
representatives, the magistrates, clergymen, select- 
men, and a large number of other gentlemen of 
Boston, and of the neighboring towns, assembled 
in the council chamber. At 1 o'clock the declara- 
tion was proclaimed by Colonel Thomas Crafts, and 



56 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

was received with great joy. Three huzzas from the 
concourse of people were given, after which thirteen 
pieces of cannon were fired from Fort hill and from 
Dorchester neck, the Castle, Nantasket, &c. The 
detachment of artillery in King street, dischaiged 
their cannon thirteen times ; which was followed by 
the two regiments in thirteen separate divisions ; all 
corresponding to the number of the American United 
States ; after which the gentlemen in the council 
chamber partook of a collation, and a number of 
appropriate toasts were proclaimed by the president 
of the council. 

This highly important transaction of our Congress 
is the theme of every circle and topic of universal 
discussion, and it receives the sanction and approba- 
tion of a large majority of the community. When 
we reflect on the deranged condition of our army, 
the great deficiency of our resources, and the little 
prospect of foreign assistance, and at the same time 
contemplate the prodigious powers and resources of 
our enemy, we may view this measure of Congress 
as a prodigy. The history of the world cannot fur- 
nish an instance of fortitude and heroic magnanimity 
parallel to that displayed by the members, whose 
signatures are aflixed to the declaration of American 
Independence. Their venerated names will orna- 
ment the brightest pages of American history, and 
be transmitted to the latest generations. Thfe in- 
strument was signed by John Hancock, Esq. as Presi- 
dent, and by fifty four others, delegates from the 
thirteen United States. The Congress have in their 
declaration recited the grievances and oppressions, 
for which we could not obtain redress ; and pro- 
claimed to the world the causes, which impelled 
them to a separation from the crown of Great Britain. 
A sensible and popular writer, in a production en- 
titled "'"^ Common Sense/' argues the necessity of 
the measure from the following considerations. '' We 
had no credit abroad because of our rebellions depen- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 57 

denvy. Our ships could obtain no protection in 
foreign ports, because we afforded them no justifiable 
reason ibr granting it to us. The calling of ourselves 
subjects, and at the same time fighting against the 
Prince we acknowledge, was a dangerous precedent 
to all Europe. If the grievances justified our taking 
up arms, they justified our separation ; if they did 
not justify our separation, neither could they justify 
our taking arms. All Europe was interested in re- 
ducing us as rebels, and all Europe, or the greater 
part at least, is interested in supporting us in our 
independent state. At home our condition was still 
worse ; our currency had no foundation ; and the 
state of it would have ruined whig and tory alike. 
We had no other laws than a kind of moderated 
passion ; no other civil power than an honest mob ; 
and no other protection than the temporary attach- 
ment of one man to another. Had independency 
been delayed a few months longer, this continent 
would have been plunged into irretrievable confusion ; 
some violent for it, some against it — all in the greatest 
cabal ; the rich would have been ruined, and the 
poor destroyed. The necessity of being independent 
would have brought it on in a little time, had there 
been no rupture between Britain and America. 
The increasing importance of commerce — the weight 
and perplexity of legislation — and the enlarged state 
of European politics, would clearly have shown to 
the continent the impropriety of continuing subordi- 
nate ; for after the coolest reflection on the matter, 
this must be allowed, "that Britain was too jealous of 
America to govern it justly ; too ignorant of it to 
govern it well ; and too distant from it to govern it 
at all." The author of Common Sense is Mr. Thomas 
Paine lately from England. I am credibly informed 
that the following anecdote occurred on the day of 
signing the declaration. Mr. Harrison, a delegate 
from Virginia, is a large portly man — Mr. Gerry of 
Massachusetts is slender and spare. A little time 
8 



58 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

after the solemn transaction of signing the instrument, 
Mr. Harrison said smilingly to Mr. Gerry, " When 
the hanging scene comes to be exhibited I shall have 
tlic advantage over you on account of my size. All 
will be over with me in a moment, but you will be 
kicking in the air half an hour after I am gone." 

'^Qth. — It appears by the public papers, that a de- 
tachment from the Bristish army of two thousand eight 
hundred men, under the command of Major General 
Clinton, Lord Cornwallis, and a fleet consisting of 
two line of battle ships, frigates, and other armed 
vessels, amounting to forty or fifty, have lately made 
a furious attack on the town of Charleston, South 
Carolina. Major General Lee, who commands our 
army in that quarter, has WTitten to Congress a par- 
ticular statement of the engagement, which, he says, 
continued for twelve hours without intermission. 
The enemy was twice repulsed with great loss ; and 
the Carolina troops and militia have gained the high- 
est honor by their brave and intrepid conduct. 
Colonel Moultrie, in a particular manner, is deserv- 
ing of the highest praise. But the British. fleet has 
suffered a loss almost beyond example. Their ships 
shattered almost to total ruin, and one frigate of 
twenty eight guns was blown up by her own crew. 
A number of officers were killed and wounded, and 
the number of men is said to be one hundred and 
seventy nine killed, and two hundred and sixty wound- 
ed. Not one man, who was quartered at the begin- 
ning of the action on the Bristol's quarter deck, 
escaped being killed or wounded. Lord Campbell, 
the late governor of that colony, being a volunteer on 
board, received a mortal wound ; and the Commo- 
dore, Sir Peter Parker, had a material part of his 
breeches torn away and was otherwise wounded. 
The whole of the British forces displayed the great- 
est courage and bravery. In a southern newspaper 
are inserted the following lines on Sir Peters dis- 
aster. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 59 

*' If honor in the breech is lodg'd, 

As Hudibras huth shown, 
It may from hence be fairly judg'd 

Sir Peter's lionor's gone." 

The English Parliament, doubting the competency 
of their own powers to sul)|ugate the United Colonies, 
have resorted to the assistance of foreign troops to 
prosecute their sanguinary purposes. Tliey have 
actually entered into treaty with several German 
Princes to furnish seventeen thousand men, to aid in 
the great work of reducing the Americans to the 
same degraded state of vassalage with these hirelings 
themselves. The terms stipulated in the treaties 
arc, that besides the wages to be paid these foreigners, 
Parliament engages to pay for every soldier who shall 
not return, thirty pounds sterling; and for every 
disabled soldier fifteen pounds sterling ! These mer- 
cenary troops, it is said in England, are to ^' assist in 
forcing the rebels to ask mercy." It has been assert- 
ed in the House of Lords, that the expense to Eng- 
land for these foreign troops cannot be less than one 
million five hundred thousand pounds for one year ! 
There is now the clearest evidence, that the British 
ministry are vvofully disappointed in their expecta- 
tions respecting the spirit and temper of the Ameri- 
can people. They had entertained no idea that the 
colonists would proceed to such daring enormity as to 
spurn their mighty power and authority. They ap- 
pear now determined by their augmented forces to 
crush at a blow all opposition to their mandates, and 
to coerce the rebels into a sense of duty to their king. 
It is estimated that a force exceeding forty thousand 
men is to be employed in America the present year. 
His majesty has appointed the two brothers. Lord 
Howe and General Howe, commissioners for restoring 
peace to the colonies, and for granting pardon to 
such of his Majesty's subjects, now in rebellion, as 
shall deserve the royal clemency. Besides the two 
commissioners, they are about to send on the same 



60 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

service a combination of Hessians, Brunswickers, 
Waldeckers, English, Scotch, and Irish. The Scots 
may perhaps come prepared with the following advice, 

" O learn from our example and our fate, 
Learn wisdom and repentance ere too late." 

The following transaction is now a subject of news- 
paper discussion and of general conversation. Ad- 
miral Lord Howe arrived off the city of New York, 
not long since, to take the command of the British 
fleet ; on his arrival he proclaimed to the public that 
he and his brother General Howe were appointed 
his Majesty's commissioners, with full powers to 
grant pardons to all or to any town, county, or dis- 
trict, who may have departed from their allegiance 
and duty to his Majesty, &c. and who are willing by 
a speedy return to reap the benefit of the royal favor. 
These royal commissioners despatched Colonel Pat- 
terson, Adjutant General of the British army, to 
General Washington, at New York, with letters re- 
specting their mission ; but as the letters were not 
directed in a manner expressive of his ofiicial station, 
his Excellency refused to receive them ; but treated 
Colonel Pattei*son with much politeness, and dismissed 
liim. The conduct of General Washington in this 
interview received the approbation of Congress, and 
they resolved, " that he had acted with a dignity 
becoming his character." They further resolved, 
*' that no letters or messages be received on any oc- 
casion whatever from the enemy, by the Commander 
in Chief or others, the commanders of the American 
army, but such as shall be directed to them in the 
characters they 'respectively sustain." It was not 
many days after this that Colonel Patterson again 
waited on General Washington, and on this occasion 
he addressed him by the title of Excellency ; and in 
the name of the Commissioners apologized for any 
deficiency in point of respect or punctilio, and as- 
sured him that they had the highest personal respect 
for General W^ashington, and did not mean to dero- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 61 

gate from his rank ; that the letter, of which he was 
now the bearer from the Commissioners, was directed 
to George Washington, Esq. &c. &c. &c. which they 
hoped would remove all difliculties ; as the three 
et cetcras might be understood to imply every thing 
that ought to follow. To this the General replied, 
that though it was true the three et ceteras might 
mean every t/ii?iif^ it was also true they might 7nean 
any thing, and as Congress had approved of his 
conduct in the first interview, he could not enter 
into any new treaty without fresh authority, and de- 
clined receiving the letter; adding that he should 
absolutely decline any letter directed to him as a 
private person, when it related to his public station. 
Colonel Patterson said. Lord and General Howe were 
invested with exceedingly great powers, and were 
very desirous of being the medium of an accommo- 
dation of difliculties. The General replied, he had 
read the act of Parliament, and found they were 
merely empowered to grant pardons. The Americans 
had committed no wrong, and therefore wanted no 
pardons ; we were only defending what we deemed 
our indisputable rights. Colonel Patterson seemed 
confused, and replied that this would open a wide 
field for argument. The Adjutant General conduct- 
ed with the gi'catest attention and politeness ; and 
manifested great solicitude that the letter might be 
received, and that the interview might be productive 
of favorable results. He expressed strong acknow- 
ledgments for the favor done him, in omitting the 
usual ceremony of blinding his eyes, when passing 
our works. General Washington invited him to par- 
take of a collation provided for him, and he was in- 
troduced to our General Ofiicers. After many com- 
pliments and polite expressions, he departed with 
saying, ** Has your Excellency no commands to my 
Lord or General Howe ?" " None, Sir,*' replied 
the General, " but my particular compliments to 
both of them." 



62 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

This event furnishes an irrefragable testimony of 
the manly firmness of mind and dignity of conduct 
of our Commander in Chief; and is calculated to 
impress the English commanders with a just sense of 
his exalted merit and character. 

August \st. — The continental army, under the im- 
mediate command of General Washington, is stationed 
at New York ; and it is expected that the British 
army, under command of General Howe, will en- 
deavor to take possession of that city the present 
season. 

5th. — Colonel Whitcomb's regiment, consisting of 
five hundred men, has now gone through the small 
pox in this town by inoculation, and all, except one 
negro, have recovered. 

7th, — This regiment, with Colonel Sarjeant's, are 
preparing to march to Ticonderoga. A number of 
teams are procured to transport the baggage and 
stores, and this morning, at seven o'clock, they march- 
ed out of town with colors displayed and drums beat- 
ing. Being myself indisposed, I am permitted to 
tarry in town till my health is restored, and in the 
mean time I am directed to take charge of the sick 
soldiers, that remain here. 

20th. — Having recovered my health, and being 
prepared to follow our regiment, I am this day to 
bid adieu to the town of Boston, where I have re- 
sided very pleasantly for the last five months. I am 
destined to a distant part of our country, and know 
not what j^u fie rings and hazards I shall be called to 
encounter, while in the discharge of my military 
duty. I shall commence my journey in company with 
Lieutenant Whiting and fourteen men who were left 
here as invalids. 

September. — We took our route through Worces- 
ter, Springfield, Charlestovvn, in New Hampshire, 
and over the Green Mountains to Skeensbury; 
whicli is the place of rendezvous for the continental 
troops and militia destined to Ticonderoga. Here 



SIILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 63 

boats are provided at the entrance of Lake Champlain, 
whicli are continually passing to and from this place. 
Wc embarked on tiie 6th instant, and with good oars- 
men and sails we arrived the same day, and joined our 
regiment here, a distance of thirty miles. While on 
our march, we received alarming reports respecting 
some military operations between our army, com- 
manded by General Washington, and the British, 
under command of General Howe, on Long Lsland, 
near New York. The report states that our army 
has suffered a complete defeat with great loss, and 
that two of our general officers are taken prisoners. 
The inhabitants through the country are in great 
alarm ; but have not obtained the particulars ; as the 
account at ])resent is vague, and somewhat contra- 
dictory, we hope and trust that a particular detail will 
prove the event to be more favorable to our cause. 
Soon after my arrival here, a soldier had the impru- 
dence to seize a rattlesnake by its tail ; the reptile 
threw its head back and struck its fangs into the man's 
hand. In a few moments a swelling commenced, at- 
tended with severe pain. It was not more than hjilf an 
hour, when his whole arm to his shoulder was swollen 
to twice its natural size, and the skin became of a 
deep orange color. His body, on one side, soon became 
affected in a similar manner, and a nausea at his 
stomach ensued. The poor man was greatly and 
justly alarmed ; his situation was very critical. Two 
medical men, beside myself, were in close attendance 
for several hours. Having procured a -quantity of 
olive oil, we directed the patient to swallow it in 
large and repeated doses, till he had taken one quart; 
and at the same time we rubbed into the affected 
limb a very large quantity of mercurial ointment. 
In about two hours we had the satisfaction to perceive 
the favorable effects of the remedies. The alarming 
symptoms abated, the swelling and pain gradually 
subsided, and in about forty eight hours he was hap- 
pily restored to health. 



tf# 



64 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

IQth. — I have omitted to record the following in- 
cidents, till I could ascertain the particulars of the 
reports. 

We learn by accounts from New York, that some 
time since, a plot of a most atrocious nature was de- 
tected in that city. A gang of tories had associated 
for the purpose of joining the British army ; and had 
concerted a plan, it is said, to assassinate his Excel- 
lency General Washington, and some other oflicers ; 
and while our army were engaged with the enemy, 
to blow up our magazines, &c. The mayor of the 
city, and an armorer who was employed in making 
rifles for the tories, and several others, were taken 
into custody, and committed to close prison. The 
mayor, on examination, confessed that he received 
money from Governor Tryon to pay ttie armorer for 
the rifles. Two of his Excellency's guards were 
confederate ; and a third, to whom the secret was 
confided, honestly disclosed the information. Several 
of these miscreants were tried and convicted, and 
two or three were executed. Another vile plot has 
been discovered in the city of Albany. By the con- 
fession of two tories, the plan w^as to set the city on 
fire, and to blow up the magazine. Some of the in- 
cendiaries were apprehended, and the meditated plot 
frustrated. We have now ample evidence, that the 
tories are the most virulent and implacable of our 
enemies ; and it is to be considered as a remarkable 
interposition of Providence, that their vile machina- 
tions are so frequently defeated. Internal secret 
enemies are always more dangerous than avowed foes 
in the field ; and so numerous and active are the 
tories in the vicinity of our main army, that it has 
been found necessary to adopt coercive measures, 
and to compel them to take the oath of allegiance, 
as prescribed by our Congress, or to depart from our 
territories. 

\2th. — I must not omit to notice another instance 
of villany in a German, by the name of Ledwitz. 



MILITARY JOUUNAL, 1776. 65 

By his solicitation he was appointed Lieutenant Colo- 
nel in our army, and he has been detected in a trai- 
torous correspondence with (rovcrnor Tryon of New 
York. He entrusted his letter to one Steen, an 
honest German, to be conveyed to New York ; but 
he considered it his duty to expose the perfidy, and 
delivered it to General Washington. In iiis letter 
he first presents his compliments in a formal manner 
to Lord Howe, and then proceeds to profess a con- 
sciousness, that the world will censure him for his 
treachery, iti corresponding with the enemy of those 
in whose service he is employed, but apologizes by 
asserting, that he had been forced to accept his com- 
mission, for fear of ruin to himself and ftunily ; and 
as he had engaged, through compulsion, by a rebel- 
lious mob, he can be under no obligation to be faith- 
ful in their service. Besides this, he adds, he had 
previously taken Governor Tryon's advice, and had 
promised to do all lie could in his new capacity for 
his majesty's service. He then asserts that a person 
who is a friend to the king, though an interested one, 
had offered to furnish him with weekly returns of the 
strength and detail of the continental army, for the 
sum of four thousand pounds sterling, to be paid in 
advance in gold; but that he had agreed with hira 
to render that service for two thousand pounds, which 
sum, he requested, might be immediately conveyed 
to him. By this criminal act the perfidious wretch 
had forfeited his life, according to the articles of war, 
but on his trial by a court martial, his life was saved 
by the casting vote of a militia oflicer, who pretended 
some scruples of conscience ; he was however cashier- 
ed, and declared incapable of holding any military 
office in the service of the United States. 

15lh. — I have now ascertained, by accounts pub- 
lished, that the battle on Long Island took place on 
the 27th of August. The British and Hessian army, 
supposed to amount to twenty four thousand, landed 
on the island under cover of their shipping. Tji« 
9 



66 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

continental army consisted of ten thousand five hun- 
dred and fourteen effectives only ; and these were s» 
situated, that but a small part could be brought into 
action ; the conflict therefore was extremely unequal. 
In point of numbers, of discipline, experience in war, 
and of artillery, the enemy possessed the most de- 
cided advantage ; besides the important assistance 
afforded by a powerful fleet. The very judicious 
plan of attack by the British generals was carried 
into execution with irresistible ardor and impetuosity. 
The Americans defended themselves with great 
bravery, till a considerable number of them were 
completely surrounded, and the remainder dispersed. 
The palm of victory was on the side of the enemy ; 
and our loss is very considerable. Major General 
Sullivan, and Lord Sterling, were obliged to sur- 
render as prisoners ; and our total loss is supposed to 
be not less than one thousand or twelve hundred in 
killed, wounded, ahd missing. The enemy suffered 
very severely. 

After this unfortunate skirmishing, our army re- 
treated within their lines at Brooklyn, and were ex- 
posed to the greatest hazard ; our troops, fatigued and 
discouraged by defeat, a superior enemy in their front, 
and a powerful fleet about to enter the East River 
with a view of effectually cutting off their retreat; 
but an interposition of Providence, and the wisdom 
and vigilance of the Commander in Chief preserved 
our army from destruction. Having resolved to with- 
draw his army from its hazardous position, General 
Washington crossed over to the Island in the night 
of the 29th of August, and personally conducted the 
retreat in so successful a manner, under the most em- 
barrassing circumstances, that it is considered as a 
remarkable example of good generalship. A circum- 
stance which is remarked as manifestly Providential, 
is, that a thick fog enveloped the whole of Long 
Island in obscurity about two o'clock in the morning, 
while on the side of the enemy at New York, the 



MILITARY JOURNAL. 1776. 67 

atmosphere was perfectly clear. Thus by a Provi- 
dential interposition of an unusual fog, our army, con- 
sisting of nine thousand men, in one night embarked 
under great disadvantages, and witli their baggage, 
provisions, stores, liorses, and the numitions of war, 
crossed a river, a mile or more wide, and landed at 
New York undiscovered and without material loss. 
The enemy were so near, that they were heard at 
work with their pick axes, and in about half an hour 
after, the fog cleared off and the enemy were seen 
taking possession of the American lines. 

20th. — General Washington, finding the city of 
New York untenable, has removed his whole army 
about nine miles up the country ; which he effected 
in safety, though under a heavy cannonade from the 
British shipping. General Howe with his army took 
immediate possession of the city. Major General 
Sullivan, who was captured on Long Island, has been 
permitted to return on his parole ; and is charged 
with a message to Congress from Lord Howe. The 
purport of the message is, that his Lordship, as com- 
missioner, could not treat with Congress, as such ; 
but is desirous of a conference with some of the mem- 
bers, as private gentlemen. Congress could not con- 
sider themselves justified in sending any of their 
members in their private character ; but, ever de- 
sirous of establishing peace on reasonable terms, offer- 
ed to send a committee to inquire, whether his Lord- 
ship had any authority to treat with persons au- 
thorized by Congi'ess for this purpose, and what that 
authority was ; and to hear such propositions, as he 
should think proper to make respecting the same. 
They accordingly made choice of Dr. Benjamin 
Franklin, John Adams, Esq. and Edward Rutledge, 
Esq. who had an interview with Lord Howe on Sta- 
ten Island. The first proposition from his Lordship 
was, that the colonies should return to their allegi- 
ance and obedience to the government of Great 
Britain. The committee expressed their opinion, 



6i MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

that a return to the domination of Great Britain was 
not to be expected. They mentioned the repeated 
humble petitions of the colonies to the King and Par- 
liament, which had been treated with contempt, and 
answered with additional injuries ; the unexampled 
patience we had shown under their tyrannical govern- 
ment, and that it was not till the last act of Parlia- 
ment, which denounced war against us, and put us 
out of the king's ])rotection, that we declared our in- 
dependence ; and that it is not now in the power of 
Congress to agree that the people should return to 
their former dependant state. The committee re- 
ported to Congress that it did not appear, that his 
Lordship's commission contained any other authority 
of importance than what is expressed in the act of 
Parliament, namely, that of granting pardons, with 
such exceptions as the commissioners shall think pro- 
per to make, and of declaring America, or any part 
of it, to be in the king's peace on submission. The 
committee conducted the business with great judg- 
ment, and in a manner becoming the dignity of their 
character. The Congress adopted no other mea- 
sures on this occasion ; and the British commissioners, 
finding that the United States could not relinquish 
their independency, published their declaration to 
the people at large, recommending to them " to re- 
flect seriously on their present conduct and expec- 
tations, and to judge for themselves, whether it is 
more consistent with their honor and happiness to 
offer up their lives as a sacrifice to the unjust and 
precarious cause in which they are engaged, or to 
return to their allegiance, accept the blessings of 
peace, and be secured in the free enjoyment of their 
liberties and property." Had the declaration of in- 
dependence been deferred but a few weeks longer, 
this proceeding of the commissioners might have been 
productive of consequences exceedingly disastrous to 
our country. It would probably have increased the 
number of opposers to the measure, and occasioned 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1776. €# 

the greatest confusion and embarrassment. It was 
undoubtly their object, by a specious prospect of re- 
conciliation, to create a division among the colonies 
and people, and thereby paralyze their exertions and 
preparations for war. But at the present time, the de- 
claration of the king's commissioners is not calculated 
to effect the great purpose which they have in view ; 
the people at large have become too wise to be duped 
and cajoled out of their freedom. They repose un- 
bounded confidence in the wisdom of the Congress of 
their choice ; and have no disposition to counteract 
their views, or embarrass their counsels. The num- 
ber of individuals, who have accepted of the proffer- 
ed conditions, is supposed to be very inconsiderable ; 
and by far the largest portion of them are in the city 
of New York, and its immediate vicinity. By a flag 
from New York we learn, that about five days after 
the British army took possession of that city, a de- 
structive fire broke out, and raged with such vio- 
lence, that about one thousand houses, some of the 
most superb buildings, being about one quarter of the 
whole city, were consumed. Some suspicions were 
entertained that this disaster was occasioned by Ame- 
rican emissaries, and several persons had been treated 
v^-ith great cruelty, though no proof was produced 
against them. There is on the contrary much reason 
to conclude that the conflagration was merely acci- 
dental. 

We have the information, that before our army 
evacuated the city of New York, General Howe's 
army landed, under cover of five ships of war, the 
British and Hessians in two separate divisions. So 
soon as this was announced to our Commander in 
Chief, by a heavy cannonade from the men of war, he 
instantly rode toward our lines, but he was astonished 
and mortified to find that the troops which had been 
posted there, and also two brigades which had been 
ordered to sup])ort then), were retreating in great 
confusion and disorder. He made every effort to 



70 MILITABY JOURNAL, 1776. 

rally them, but without success ; they were so panic 
struck that even the shadow of an enemy seemed to 
increase their precipitate flight. His Excellency, 
distressed and enraged, drew his sword and snapped 
his pistols, to check them ; but they continued their 
flight without firing a gun ; and the General, regard- 
less of his own safety, was in so much hazard, that 
one of his attendants seized the reins, and gave his 
horse a different direction. The following fact is 
of considerable interest. 

When retreating from New York, Major General 
Putnam, at the head of three thousand five hundred 
continental troops, was in the rear and the last that 
left the city. In order to avoid any of the enemy 
that might be advancing in the direct road to the 
city, he made choice of a road parallel with and 
contiguous to the North River, till he could arrive 
at a certain angle, whence another road would con- 
duct him in such a direction as that he might form 
a junction with our army. It so happened that a 
body of about eight thousand British and Hessians 
were at the same moment advancing on the road, 
which would have brought them in immediate con- 
tact with General Putnam, before he could have 
reached the turn into the otlier road. Most for- 
tunately, the British generals, seeing no prospect 
of engaging our troops, halted their own, and repair- 
ed to the house of a Mr. Robert Murray, a quaker 
and friend of our cause ; Mrs. Murray treated them 
with cake and wine, and they were induced to tarry 
two hours or more. Governor Tryon frequently joking 
her about her American friends. By this happy 
incident General Putnam, by continuing his march, 
escaped a rencounter with a greatly superior force, 
which must have proved fatal to his whole party. 
One half hour, it is said, would have been sufficient 
for the enemy to have secured the road at the turn, 
and entirely cut off* General Putnam's retreat. It 
has since become almost a common saying among our 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 71 

officers, that Mrs. Murray saved this part of the 
American army. 

I have collected from the preceding pages of 
my Journal some observations relative to the forma- 
tion and character of our army. After the battle 
at Lexington, such was the enthusiasm for the cause 
of liberty, and so general and extensive the alarm, 
that thousands of our citizens, who were engaged 
in the cultivation of their farms, spontaneously rush- 
ed to the scene of action ; and an army was assembled 
almost without the efforts of public authority. At 
this most eventful period, it was the fond hope of 
a large proportion of our patriotic leaders, that the 
controversy with our parent country would yet be 
compromised on honorable and equitable terms. 
Though the haughty Britons had unsheathed the 
sword, and shed the blood of their brethren, it was 
impossible to endure the idea, that our loyal and 
humble supplications to the king could any longer 
be contemptuously rejected ; more especially after 
a complete union of all the colonies in a determined 
opposition to their tyrannical measures was clearly 
demonstrated. Calculating therefore, that the ser- 
vices of an army would be required for a short 
period only, and the troops in the field consisting 
chiefly of minute men, volunteers and militia, it was 
a considerable time before they were regularly or- 
ganized into regiments and brigades. In many in- 
stances the soldiers were indulged Uie privilege of 
choosing their own officers ; the consequence was, as 
might be expected, that the choice did not fall on the 
most respectable and meritorious, but on those who 
were the most popular among the lower class ; and 
these too frequently proved unqualified to discharge 
their military duties in a manner creditable to them- 
selves or advantageous to the public service. Nor 
was it to be expected that this description of people 
could appreciate the importance of the great desid- 
erata in all armies, discipline, and subordination. It 



72 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

has been found, by sad experience, that but little 
dependance can be placed on an army of militia, and 
those whose term of service is so short that they 
are almost continually fluctuating from camp to their 
farms, and in whom the noble spirit of patriotism 
is in a considerable degree extinguished. There is 
another evil of a very serious complexion which has 
manifested itself in our camp. Since the troops from 
the Southern states have been incorporated and 
associated in military duty with those from New 
England, a strong prejudice has assumed its un- 
happy influence, and drawn a line of distinction 
between them. Many of the officers from the South 
are gentlemen of education, and unaccustomed to 
that equality which prevails in New England ; and 
however desirable, it could scarcely be expected 
that people from distant colonies, differing in manners 
and prejudices, could at once harmonize in friendly 
intercourse. Hence we too frequently hear the bur- 
lesque epithet of Yankee from one party, and that 
of Buckskin, by way of retort, from the other. The 
troops which compose the continental army being 
enlisted for a few months only, their time of service 
will soon expire. Congress, being apprized of the 
absolute necessity of a permanent army, have lately 
resolved, "to raise a standing army to consist of 
about seventy five thousand men, to serve for the 
term of three years, or during the war.'' These 
troops, when raised, are to be systematically arrang- 
ed on the continental establishment, and according 
to their apportionment, the quota of Massachusetts 
is fifteen battalions, or about twelve thousand men. 
To encourage enlistments, each soldier is to receive 
a bounty of twenty dollars, besides his wages and 
allowance of rations, and one hundred acres of land, 
if he serve during the war. The officers are to 
receive land in proportion to their respective ranks, 
from two hundred to five hundred acres. Their 
monthly pay is to be as follows : 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 



73 



g75 


Lieutenant, 


g27 


60 


Ensign, 


20 


50 


Sergeant Major, 


9 


33 33 


Quarter Master Sergeant, 


9 


33 33 


Drum Major, 


8 


18 


Fife Major, 


8 33 


40 


Sergeant, 


8 


27 50 


Corporal, 


7 33 


26 67 


Drummer and Fifer, 


7 33 


40 


Privates, 


6 67 



A Colonel, a month, 

Lieutenant Colonel, 

Major, 

Chaplain, 

Surgeon, 

Surtjeon's Mate, 

Adjutant, 

Quarter Master, 

Regimental Pay Master, 26 67 

Captain, 



Each commissioned officer is allowed the privilege 
of taking a soldier from the ranks for a waiter, and 
he is exempted from camp and other duty, except 
in time of action. The officers are also allowed a 
number of rations in proportion to their rank. A 
surgeon draws three, and a mate two rations. One 
pound of beef or pork ; one pound of bread or flour 
a day ; a small quantity of vegetables, when to be 
had ; one gill of rum or whiskey a day ; a small 
quantity of vinegar, salt, soap and candles, a week, 
constitute a ration. 

Ticonderoga is situated on an angle of land form- 
ing the western shore of Lake Champlain ; or rather 
what is called South Bay ; being the inlet into the 
Lake. It is about twelve miles south of the old 
fortress at Crown Point ; and about one hundred and 
ten miles north of Albany. This point of land is 
surrounded on three sides by water, and on the 
north west side it is well defended by the old French 
lines and several block houses. The works at this 
place were originally erected by the French, in 1756, 
and the post was considered of high importance by 
both the French and English, as commanding the 
pass direct from Canada to the provinces of New 
York and New England. In the war between the 
English and French, in the year 1759, it was sur- 
rendered to General Amherst, which was a prelude 
to the conquest of Canada, by the English and Pro- 
vincial army. In 1775, after the commencement of 
hostilities at Lexington, this post was taken from 
the English, by a small party of militia volunteers 
10 



74 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

under command of Colonel Allen and Colonel Arnold, 
which put the Provincials in possession of a large 
number of cannon, mortars and other ordnance ; a 
part of which was transported to Cambridge during 
the siege of Boston. On the east side of South Bay, 
directly opposite to Ticonderoga, is a high circular 
hill, on the summit of which our army has erected 
a strong fort, within which is a square of barracks. 
This is called Mount Independence. A communica- 
tion is maintained between the two places by a float- 
ing bridge thrown across the Lake, which is about 
four hundred yards wide. The army stationed at this 
post at present, is supposed to consist of about eight 
or ten thousand men, and Major General Gates is 
commander in chief. We have a naval armament 
on Lake Champlain, below this garrison, which is 
commanded by the intrepid General Arnold ; Gen- 
eral Waterbury is second in command. The British 
have also a naval armament, of superior force, at 
the head of which is the celebrated Sir Guy Carle- 
ton. Preparations are making on both sides, for 
a vigorous combat to decide which power shall have 
dominion on the Lake. Should Sir Guy Carleton 
be able to defeat our fleet, it is supposed that he 
will pursue his victorious career by an attempt to 
possess himself of this garrison ; and our troops are 
making the utmost exertion to put our works in the 
best possible state of defence. Each regiment has its 
alarm post assigned, and they are ordered to repair 
to it, and to man the lines at day light every morn- 
ing. Among our defensive weapons are poles, about 
twelve feet long, armed with sharp iron points, which 
each soldier is to employ against the assailants when 
mounting the breast works. We are happy to learn 
from head quarters that the two continental generals, 
taken in the action on Long Island, Lord Stirling 
and Major General Sullivan, have returned to our 
camp ; being exchanged for General Prescott, cap- 
tured in Canada, and Governor Brown who was 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 75 

brought off from New Providence by one of our 
armed vessels. 

October. — By some gentlemen from head quarters, 
near New York, we are amused with an account of a 
singular machine, invented by a Mr. D. Bushnell of 
Connecticut, for the purpose of destroying the British 
shipping by explosion. This novel machine was so 
ingeniously constructed, that, on examination. Major 
General Putnam was decidedly of opinion that its 
operations might be attended with the desired suc- 
cess ; accordingly he encouraged the inventor, and 
resolved to be himself a spectator of the experiment 
on the British shipping in New York harbor. Mr. 
Bushnell gave to his machine the name of American 
Turtle or Torpedo. It was constructed on the prin- 
ciples of submarine navigation, and on trial it has 
been ascertained tliat it might be rowed horizontally, 
at any given depth under water, and the adventurer, 
concealed within, might rise or sink, as occasion re- 
quires. A magazine of powder was attached to it 
in such a manner as to be screwed into the bottom of 
the ship ; and being now disengaged from the ma- 
chine the operator retires in safety, leaving the in- 
ternal clock work in motion ; and at the distance of 
half an hour, or an hour, the striking of a gun lock 
communicates fire to the powder, and the explosion 
tikes place. It was determined to make the experi- 
ment with this machine in the night, on the ship 
Eagle, of sixty four guns, on board of which admiral 
Lord Howe commanded. General Putnam placed 
himself on the wharf to witness the result. Mr. 
Bushnell had instructed his brother in the manage- 
ment of the Torpedo with perfect dexterity ; but 
being taken sick a sergeant of a Connecticut regiment 
was selected for the business, who, for want of time, 
could not be properly instructed. He however, 
succeeded so far as to arrive in safety with his appa- 
ratus under the bottom of the ship, when the screw, 
designed to perforate the copper sheathing, unfor- 



78 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

ordered to repair to their alarm posts, and man the 
lines and works; every morning, our continental 
colors are advantageously displayed on the ramparts, 
and our cannon and spears are in readiness for action. 

20th. — Ever since the defeat of our fleet we have 
been Providentially favored with a strong southerly 
wind, which has prevented the enemy's advancing to 
attack our lines, and afforded us time to receive some 
reinforcements of militia, and to prepare for a more 
vigorous defence. It seems now to be the opinion of 
many of our most judicious officers, that had Sir Guy 
Carleton approached with his army, immediately after 
his victory on the lake, the struggle must have been 
most desperate, and the result precarious; but we 
now feel more confidence in our strength. 

Several letters, lately received from Canada, ac- 
knowledge that no man ever manoeuvred with more 
dexterity, fought with more bravery, or retreated 
with more firnmess, than did General Arnold on the 
nth and 12th instant. After making every eifort 
to compensate, by the advantage of situation, for the 
inferiority of force, and seeing his own vessel, and 
the rest, torn to pieces by the superior weight of 
metal, and the execution of the enemy's howitzers, 
he set fire to his vessel and would not quit her till 
she was so completely in flames that it was impossi- 
ble for the enemy to strike her colors on their arrival, 
and they were left flying among the flames to the 
last. This, says one of the letters, was supporting a 
point of honor in a manner almost romantic ; yet so 
it was. 

A^'ovember l*^.— The enemy remain at Crown Point, 
and evince no disposition to molest our garrison, hav- 
ing probably discovered that our means of defence 
are too formidable for them to encounter. General 
Gates has now ordered a detachment of troops to 
march towards Crown Point, to reconnoitre their posi- 
tion, or to attack them. A report was soon returned 
that the whole fleet and army have abandoned Crown 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 79 

Point, and retired into Canada, where they will pro- 
bably occupy their winter quarters in peace, and it is 
not probable that Sir Guy Carleton intends to invest 
our garrison, at this advanced season, unless however, 
he should attempt it by marching his army over the 
ice, when the lake is frozen, which will probably be 
very practicable. 

15th. — Ticonderoga is situated in about latitude 
forty four degrees. I have no means in my possession 
of ascertaining the precise degree of cold ; but we all 
agree that it is colder here than in Massachusetts at 
the same season. The earth has not yet been cover- 
ed with snow, but the frost is so considerable that the 
water of the lake is congealed, and the earth is frozen. 
We are comfortably situated in our barracks ; our 
provisions are now good, and having no enemy near 
enough to alarm or disturb us, we have nothing of 
importance to engage our attention. Our troops are 
quite healthy, a few cases of rheumatism and pleurisy 
comprize our sick list, and it is seldom that any fatal 
cases occur. 

Dece7nber 10 fh. — Intelligence has lately arrived 
at head quarters here, that a British fleet, and a de- 
tachment of five or six thousand of the royal army 
have taken possession of Newport, in Rhode Island, 
without any opposition ; many of the inhabitants being 
friendly to the royal cause, they were received as 
friends. By letters from officers, and by other infor- 
mation from ou-r main army, we learn with sorrow, 
that our affairs in that quarter are in a most deplora- 
ble and almost desperate situation. Since the evacu- 
ation of New York, several battles and skirmishes 
have taken place between the two armies, with con- 
siderable loss on both sides ; but his Excellency the 
Commander in Chief has constantly avoided a general 
action. Fort Washington and Fort Lee have fallen 
into the hands of the enemy, with a considerable 
number of prisonei*s ; and our army being reduced 
to the lowest ebb, discouraged and dispirited, are 



80 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

retreating through the Jerseys, and the enemy in 
close pursuit. The continental army has even cross- 
ed the Delaware and left the whole state of Jersey in 
the possession of the royal army. 

20th. — Another disaster ot much importance, is the 
capture of Major General Lee ; on the 13th instant, 
marching at the head of his division to join the main 
army, he very incautiously took up his lodgings at a 
house three or four miles from his troops. Informa- 
tion of this was, by some tories, communicated to Colo- 
nel Harcourt of the British light horse, who resolved 
to attempt his capture. Accordingly, with a detach- 
ment of dragoons, he speedily surrounded the house ; 
made General Lee his prisoner, and not permitting 
him time to take his cloak and hat, mounted him on 
a horse and in triumph conveyed him to New York. 
The loss of this favorite general officer, it is feared, 
will be attended with very serious consequences, as 
respects the American cause. He was from his youth 
an officer in the British service, where he sustained 
a reputation of the highest grade, as a brave and 
skilful warrior. Having adopted our country, and 
become a zealous advocate for its liberties, he had 
acquired the confidence and highest regard of the 
public, and was exalted to the rank of second in com- 
mand in our army. 

Such is now the gloomy aspect of our affairs that 
the whole country has taken the alarm ; strong ap- 
prehensions are entertained that the British will soon 
have it in their power to vanquish the whole of the 
remains of the continental army. The term of ser- 
vice of a considerable part of our troops has nearly 
expired, and new recruits do not arrive in sufficient 
numbers to supply their places. His Excellency 
General Washington is continually making every pos- 
sible effort to produce a change of circumstances more 
auspicious to our country. The critical and distress- 
ing situation in which he is placed is sufficient to 
overwhelm the powers of any man of less wisdom and 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 81 

magnanimity than our Commander in Chief. He 
has the confidence and the affection of the officers 
and soldiers of the whole army ; and there is not 
pei'haps another man to he found so well calculated 
to discharge the duties of iiis important and respon- 
sible station. It is generally agreed by our officers, 
that in his retreat through the Jerseys, and over the 
Delaware, under the most pressing difficulties, he 
displayed the talents and wisdom characteristic of a 
great military commander, possessing unfailing re- 
sources of mind. While retreating through the 
Jerseys with an army not exceeding three thousand 
five hundred men, and deeming our cause as almost 
desperate, he said to Colonel Reed, passing his hand 
over his throat, " my neck does not feel as though 
it was made for a halter, we must retire to Augiista 
county in Virginia, and if overpowerd we must pass 
the Alleghany mountains." General Washington at 
this time was suffering the most agonizing distress 
for the fate of his army and his country. 

The king's commissioners, flushed with the success 
of the royal army, have availed themselves of the 
occasion, and pat forth another proclamation, granting 
pardons to all those who shall within sixty days sub- 
scribe a declaration to remain peaceable, not to take 
up arms nor encourage others to act against the king's 
authority? and at the same time, they charge and 
command all who are assembled in arms against his 
Majesty to disband, and all under the names of 
General and Provincial Congress committees, &c. to 
desist from their treasonable practices, and relinquish 
their usurped power within sixty days from the date 
of the proclamation. 

This production, couched in the haughty style of 
royal authority, demands submission of those who 
have long since been compelled to abjure all allegi- 
ance to the British crown. How far the people of 
this continent may be disposed to retrace their steps, 
to abandon the government of their choice, relinquish 
11 



80 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

retreating through the Jerseys, and the enemy in 
close pursuit. The continental army has even cross- 
ed the Delaware and left the whole state of Jersey in 
the possession of the royal army. 

20th. — Another disaster ot much importance, is the 
capture of Major General Lee ; on the 13th instant, 
marching at the head of his division to join the main 
army, he very incautiously took up his lodgings at a 
house three or four miles from his troops. Informa- 
tion of this was, by some tories, communicated to Colo- 
nel Harcourt of the British light horse, who resolved 
to attempt his capture. Accordingly, with a detach- 
ment of dragoons, he speedily surrounded the house ; 
made General Lee his prisoner, and not permitting 
him time to take his cloak and hat, mounted him on 
a horse and in triumph conveyed him to New York. 
The loss of this favorite general officer, it is feared, 
will be attended with very serious consequences, as 
respects the American cause. He was from his youth 
an officer in the British service, where he sustained 
a reputation of the highest grade, as a brave and 
skilful warrior. Having adopted our country, and 
become a zealous advocate for its liberties, he had 
acquired the confidence and highest regard of the 
public, and was exalted to the rank of second in com- 
mand in our army. 

Such is now the gloomy aspect of our affairs that 
the whole country has taken the alarm ; strong ap- 
prehensions are entertained that the British will soon 
have it in their power to vanquish the whole of the 
remains of the continental army. The term of ser- 
vice of a considerable part of our troops has nearly 
expired, and new recruits do not arrive in sufficient 
numbers to supply their places. His Excellency 
General Washington is continually making every pos- 
sible effort to produce a change of circumstances more 
auspicious to our country. The critical and distress- 
ing situation in which he is placed is sufficient to 
overwhelm the powers of any man of less wisdom and 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 81 

magnanimity than our Commander in Chief. He 
has the confidence and the affection of the officers 
and soldiers of the whole army ; and there is not 
perhaps another man to he found so well calculated 
to discharge the duties of his important and respon- 
sible station. It is generally agreed by our officers, 
that in his retreat through the Jerseys, and over the 
Delaware, under the most pressing difficulties, he 
displayed the talents and wisdom characteristic of a 
great military commander, possessing unfailing re- 
sources of mind. While retreating through the 
Jerseys with an army not exceeding three thousand 
five hundred men, and deeming our cause as almost 
desperate, he said to Colonel Reed, passing his hand 
over his throat, " my neck does not feel as though 
it was made for a halter, we must retire to Augusta 
county in Virginia, and if overpowerd we must pass 
the Alleghany mountains." General Washington at 
this time was suffering the most agonizing distress 
for the fate of his army and his country. 

The king's commissioners, flushed with the success 
of the royal army, have availed themselves of the 
occasion, and put forth another proclamation, granting 
pardons to all those who shall within sixty days sub- 
scribe a declaration to remain peaceable, not to take 
up arms nor encourage others to act against the king's 
authority, and at the same time, they charge and 
command all who are assembled in arms against his 
Majesty to disband, and all under the names of 
General and Provincial Congress committees, &c. to 
desist from their treasonable practices, and relinquish 
their usurped power within sixty days from the date 
of the proclamation. 

This production, couched in the haughty style of 
royal authority, demands submission of those who 
have long since been compelled to abjure all allegi- 
ance to the British crown. How far the people of 
this continent may be disposed to retrace their steps, 
to abandon the government of their choice, relinquish 
11 



82 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1776. 

their independence and succumb to arbitrary power, 
is a point to be decided within sixty days. How- 
ever apparently forlorn is our situation, we presume 
to hope that his Majesty's commissioners will not 
realize their san^iine expectations, though British 
clemency on the one hand, and the gallows on the 
other, may be the alternative. The Congress resolv- 
ed on the 12th instant, that it be recommended to 
all the United States as soon as possible to appoint a 
day of fasting and humiliation. This is according 
to the custom of our pious ancestors in times of im- 
minent dangers and difficulties. Considering the 
rapid movements of the enemy, and knowing it to be 
their intention to possess themselves of the city of 
Philadelphia, the Congress have resolved to retire to 
Baltimore in Maryland. They have also ordered, 
that hand bills be circulated through the states with 
the view of rousing the whole people to a sense of 
the impending danger, and the calamities that will 
ensue should the enemy succeed in the attempt to 
get possession of the capital. 

26^/l — A singular kind of riot took place in our 
barracks last evening, attended by some unpleasant 
consequences. Colonel A. W. of Massachusetts, made 
choice of his two sons, who were soldiers in his regi- 
ment, to discharge the menial duties of waiters, and 
one of them having been brought up a shoe maker, 
the Colonel was so inconsiderate as to allow him to 
work on his bench in the same room with himself. 
This ridiculous conduct has for some time drawn on 
the good old man the contemptuous sneers of the 
gentlemen officers, especially those from Pennsylvania. 
Lieutenant Colonel C. of Wayne's regiment, being 
warmed with wine, took on himself the task of repre- 
hending the *^" Yankee" Colonel for thus degrading his 
rank. With this view he rushed into the room in the 
evening and soon despatched the shoe maker's bench, 
after which, he made an assault on the Colonel's person, 
and bruised him severely. The noise and confusion 



MILITARY JOURNAL^ 1777. 83 

soon collected a number of oflicers and soldiers, and it 
was a considerable time before the rioters could be 
quelled. Some of the soldiers of Colonel Wayne's 
regiment actually took to their arms and dared the 
Yankees, and then proceeded to the extremity of 
firing their guns. About thirty or forty rounds were 
aimed at the soldiers of our regiment, who were 
driven from their huts and barracks, and several of 
them were severely wounded. Colonel C. in making 
an assault on a superior oflicer, and encouraging a 
riot, is guilty of one of the highest crimes in our 
articles of war. It was in the power of Colonel W. 
and in fact, it was his duty to bring the audacious 
offenders to exemplary punishment ; but, as if to com- 
plete the disgrace of the transaction. Colonel C. sent 
some soldiers into the woods to shoot a fat bear, with 
which he made an entertainment, and invited Colonel 
W. and his officers to partake of it ; this effected a 
reconciliation ; and Colonel W. was induced to over- 
look the high handed assault on his own person and 
on the lives of his soldiers. Our Colonel is a serious, 
good man, but is more conversant with the economy 
of domestic life than the etiquette practised in camp. 
January 5 th. — At the close of the last year, the 
situation of our main' army was gloomy and discourag- 
ing, a large proportion of the troops had retired from 
service, as their term of enlistment expired, and the 
small remains of our army was retreating before the 
enemy, and passed the Delaware for safety. It is 
now announced in our general orders, to our inex- 
pressible joy and satisfaction, that the scene is in 
some degree changed, the fortune of war is reversed, 
and Providence has been pleased to crown the efforts 
of our Commander in Chief with a splendid victory. 
His Excellency, having obtained information that the 
advanced party of the enemy, consisting of about 
fifteen hundred Hessians and British light horse, 
under conunand of Colonel Rahl, was stationed at 
the village of Trenton, concerted a plan for taking 



84 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

them by surprize. For this purpose he made choice 
of Christmas night, under the idea that in conse- 
quence of the festivity, they might be less vigilantly 
guarded. At this time the whole force under his 
immediate command did not exceed three thousand 
men. At the head of about two thousand four hun- 
dred men, one division being commanded by Gen- 
eral Greene, and the other by General Sullivan, he 
crossed the river Delaware in boats, in the night of 
the 25th of December, during a severe storm of snow 
and rain. The passage of the boats was rendered 
extremely difficult and hazardous by the ice, and 
part of the troops and cannon actually failed in the 
attempt. Having landed on the Jersey shore, he 
had nine miles to march, and he reached the village 
about 7 o'clock in the morning with such prompti- 
tude and secrecy, as to attack the enemy almost as 
soon as his approach was discovered. A smart firing 
ensued, which continued but a few minutes, when the 
enemy, finding themselves surrounded, threw down 
their arms and surrendered as prisoners. Colonel 
Rahl, the commanding officer, was mortally wounded, 
and seven other officers were wounded and left at 
Trenton on their parole. About thirty five soldiers 
were killed, sixty wounded, and nine hundred and 
forty eiglit, including thirty officers, were taken 
prisoners, amounting in all to one thousand and forty 
eight. Of the Continentals not more than ten, it is 
supposed, were killed and wounded. General Wash- 
ington recrossed the Delaware the same day in 
triumph, bringing olF six excellent brass cannon, 
about one tliousand two hundred small arms, and three 
standards, with a quantity of baggage, &c. This 
very brilliant acliievement is highly honorable to the 
Commander in Chief, and to all that were engaged in 
the enterprize. We are sanguine in the hope that 
this most auspicious event will be productive of the 
happiest effects, by inspiriting our dejected army and 
dispelling that panic of despair into which the peo- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 85 

pie have been plunged. General Washington allow- 
ed the Hessian prisoners to retain their baggage, and 
sent them into the interior of Pennsylvania, ordering 
that they be treated with favor and humanity. This 
conduct, so contrary to their expectations, excited 
their gratitude and veneration for their amiable con- 
(jueror, whom they styled, " a very good rebels 

\5tli. — By some friends from the main army, and 
from current report, it appears that the British, hav- 
ing overrun the Jerseys, considered the Continental 
army as on the point of annihilation, and flattered 
themselves that what they term the rebellion, is 
efl'ectually crushed. In their march through the 
Jerseys they have committed such licentious ravages 
and desolation, as must be deemed disgraceful by all 
civilized people ; an indiscriminate robbery and plun- 
dering mark every step of their progress ; rapine 
and murder, without distinction of friend or foe, age 
or sex, has been put in practice with an inexorable 
spirit, and countenanced by officers of rank and dis- 
tinction. Even those unfortunate inhabitants who 
have been deluded by their promises, and received 
printed protections, are equally sufferers by these 
cruel and atrocious wretches. Hundreds of inhabi- 
tants, both male and female, have been deprived of 
their dwellings and sustenance, stripped of their cloth- 
ing, and exposed to the inclemency of the winter, 
and to personal insult and abuse of almost every de- 
scription. But their wicked career is about to be 
checked. Providence will not suffer such enormities 
to be perpetrated with impunity. Those miserable 
inhabitants, whose lives have been spared, are driven 
to desperation, and feel that they have no hope but 
in the extirpation of their cruel enemies. The peo- 
ple who have been subdued, have with a noble spirit, 
risen on their conquerors, and are resolved to revenge 
the injuries which they have suffered. 

We are now informed of another very important 
advantage which General Washington has gained 



86 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

over the royal army by means of a well concerted 
stratagem. After his success at Trenton, General 
Washington received considerable reinforcements of 
troops from Virginia and Maryland, and some regi- 
ments of militia, which enabled him again to cross 
the Delaware into the Jerseys and face the enemy. 
While at Trenton, Lord Cornwallis advanced to attack 
him, and a severe cannonade commenced. In the 
evening, General Washington ordered a great number 
of fires to be lighted up, and leaving a sufficient num- 
ber of men to keep them burning during the night, to 
deceive the enemy, stole a march with his main army, 
taking a circuitous route, and, at 9 o'clock the next 
morning, attacked three regiments of the British who 
were posted at Princeton, routed them, and drove 
them from their redoubts. By this^ masterly ma- 
noeuvre, the enemy lost about five hundred in killed, 
wounded and prisoners. The loss on our side is 
very inconsiderable in point of numbers, but we have 
to lament the death of Brigadier General Mercer, 
a brave officer who commanded the Virginia militia. 
The fact is published, that after General Mercer sur- 
rendered himself, the enemy, deaf to the voice of 
humanity, stabbed him with their bayonets, and with 
the butt end of a musket battered and disfigured his 
face in a savage manner. It is to be remarked, that 
on this memorable occasion Lord Cornwallis was 
completely out generaled ; while he was expecting 
to find the Continental army at their lighted fires at 
Trenton, he was astonished and confounded to hear 
the firing occasioned by this same army, beating up 
their quarters twelve miles in his rear. His lordship 
immediately repaired by a forced march to Princeton, 
but arrived too late to retaliate on his vigilant an- 
tagonist who had taken up his route to Morristown. 
Finding that the Continentals were out of his reach, 
his lordship proceeded without halting, to Bruns- 
wick. Stratagems in war, when wisely concerted, 
and judiciously executed, are considered as charac- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 87 

terizing a military genius of superior order, and is 
a quality of inestimable value in every commander. 
It is often exultingly remarked in our camp, that 
Washington was born for the salvation of his coun- 
try, and that he is endowed with all the talents and 
abilities necessary to qualify him for the great under- 
taking. The militia of Jersey, immediately on their 
being liberated from the control of the British, flew 
to arms, exasperated and stimulated by a recollection 
of their sufferings, and have become their most bitter 
and determined enemies ; and are very active and 
vigilant in harassing them on all occasions, keeping 
a continual watch, and cutting off small parties when- 
ever opportunities offer. It is gratifying to the army 
that Congress have conferred on their Generalissimo 
more ample powers, and appointed him Dictator for 
the limited term of six months; to reform and new 
model the military arrangements, -in such manner as he 
may judge most advantageous for the public service. 
Much good is expected to result from this measure. 

30^A. — It is with infinite satisfaction we learn, that 
the royal army has been compelled to quit almost 
every part of the Jei'seys, and that our army is pur- 
suing them from post to post, and they find no security 
but in the vicinity of their shipping. 

General Washington has issued a proclamation com- 
manding all persons having taken the oath of allegi- 
ance to Great Britain, and accepted protections and 
certificates, to deliver up the same, and take the oath 
of allegiance to the United States. Granting at the 
same time full liberty to all those who prefer the 
protection of Great Britain to the freedom and hap- 
piness of their country, forthwith to withdraw them- 
selves and families to the enemy's lines. 

The winter hitherto has been mild and temperate ; 
Lake Cham plain is now frozen over, and the ice is 
about one foot thick, the earth is covered with snow, 
but the storms have not been very violent, and the 
cold not so intense as might be expected in a northern 



88 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

climate. There have been frequent instances of per- 
sons being detected larking about the country who 
are employed by the enemy in enlisting soldiers for 
the tory regiments in New York. In order effec- 
tually to prevent this nefarious conduct, every per- 
son of this description who may fall into our hands is 
to be tried by a court martial, and if found guilty, 
will be executed as a spy. A few days since one 
Daniel Strong was found lurking about our army at 
Peekshill, and on examination enlisting orders were 
found sewed in his clothes ; he was immediately tried 
as a spy from the enemy, sentenced to suffer death, 
and was executed accordingly. 

Fchruary. — ^The present unfortunate situation of 
General Lee, who is in close confinement in the pro- 
vost prison, in New York, affords a topic for general 
conversation both in and out of the army. A cor- 
respondence between General Washington and Gene- 
ral Howe has taken place relative to the subject, from 
which it appears that General Lee receives the most 
rigid and ungenerous treatment, under the absurd pre- 
tence that he is a deserter from the British service, 
when it is well known that he resigned his commission 
long before he received an appointment in our army. 
As we have not in our possession any British officers 
of equal rank, General Washington has proposed to 
make an exchange of six Hessian field officers for 
General Lee, that being considered as the usual pro- 
portion for the disparity of rank. This proposal be- 
ing rejected, his Excellency next required of General 
Howe that General Lee should receive from his hands 
treatment suitable to his rank, and such as the custom 
of all armies has prescribed for prisoners of war. If 
this should be refused. General Howe was assured, 
that the unpleasant expedient of retaliation should be 
immediately adopted. This unhappy affair soon ar- 
rested the attention of Congress, and they resolved 
" that General Washington inform General Howe, that 
should the proffered exchange of General Lee not be 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 89 

accepted, and the ill treatment of him be continued, 
the principle of retaliation shall occasion five of the 
Hessian field oflicers, together with Lieutenant Colonel 
A. Campbell,' or any other oflicers that are or may 
be in our possession, equivalent in number or quality, 
to be detained in order that the same treatment which 
General Lee shall receive may be exactly inflicted 
on their persons." The result of this unfortunate 
business is, that the threatened retaliation has been 
resorted to on our part, and that Lieutenant Colonel 
Campbell, and five Hessian field oflicers are com- 
mitted to prison, and subjected to the same rigorous 
treatment which has been ascertained is inflicted 
on the person of General Lee. Lieutenant Colonel 
Campbell, being on parole near Boston, is confined in 
the jail at Concord. In a letter to General Howe, 
which has been published, after acknowledging the 
liberal and generous attention which he had pre- 
viously received, he describes his present condition as 
being most horrid, and in his view altogether unjusti- 
fiable. It remains therefore with General Howe to 
afford to Colonel Campbell all the relief which he de- 
sires, and extend to him all the comforts and privi- 
leges which his rank demands, by first relaxing his 
severity, and complying with the rules of war, as 
respects General Lee ; it being the determination of 
our government to place the British prisoners in pre- 
cisely the same circumstances with our prisoners in 
their custody. My leisure hours permit me to ad- 
vert to another subject which excites the interest and 
the inexpressible indignation of every American. I 
allude to the abominable conduct of the British com- 
manders towards our unfortunate oflicers and soldiers, 
who, by the fortune of war, have fallen into their 
hands. In all countries and armies, prisoners of war 
have a just claim on the duties of humanity ; from the 
moment of their captivity hostilities should cease, the 
sword should be sheathed ; being themselves disarmed, 
no arm can of right be lifted against them, and while 
12 



90 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

they conduct in a manner becoming their condition, 
they are entitled to the customary immunities, and to 
be treated with lenity. Among the savage tribes 
we know their captives are tortured by fire, by the 
scalping knife, and the tomahawk, but we are yet, 
and for the honor of human nature, hope we ever 
shall remain unacquainted with any civilized nation 
except the English, wiio devote their captives to 
various forms of destruction. It would seem that the 
application of the term rebel to our prisoners, is suf- 
ficient to reconcile the consciences of their victors to 
inflict on them the most unprecedented cruelties. 
The following is a brief summary of the systematic 
method adopted and practised for their destruction, 
as taken from the New London Gazette, from General 
Washington's letter of complaint to General Howe, 
and from the verbal statement of the officers and sol- 
diers who have returned from New York by ex- 
change. They were crowded into the holds of prison 
ships where they were almost sufibcated for want of 
air, and into churches, and open sugar houses, &c. 
without covering or a spark of fire. Their allow- 
ance of provisions and water for three days, was in- 
sufiicient for one, and in some instances, they were for 
four days entirely destitute of food. The pork and 
bread, for they had no other sustenance, and even 
the water allowed them, were of the worst possible 
quality, and totally unfit for human beings. A minute 
detail of their dreadful sufiferings would only serve to 
harrow up the feelings of surviving friends ; as a gross 
outrage against the principles of humanity, suflice it to 
say, that in consequence of the most barbarous treat- 
ment, died within a few weeks, not less than fifteen 
hundred American soldiers, brave young men, the 
pride and shield of our country. After death had 
released the sufferers, their bodies were dragged out 
of the prisons and piled up without doors, till enough 
Were collected for a cart load, when they were carted 
out and tumbled into a ditch, and slightly covered 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 91 

with cartli. Besides the above diabolical treatment, 
the prisoners were continually insulted and tantalized 
by the British officers, and malicious torics, cursing 
and swearing at them as rebels, saying, '^ this is the 
just punishment of your rebellion ; nay, you arc 
treated too well for rebels, you have not received 
lialf you deserve, and half you shall receive ; but if 
you will enlist in his majesty's service, you shall have 
victuals and clothing enough." Thus these callous 
hearted Englishmen meanly endeavored to augment 
the royal army by the enlistment of American prison- 
ers, or to diminish the number of their opposers ; 
but such was the integrity and patriotism of these 
men, that hundreds submitted to death rather than 
become rebels to their own native country. In one 
instance, four of our wounded officers, of respectable 
rank, were put into a common dirt cart and conveyed 
through the streets of New York as objects of deri- 
sion, reviled as rebels, and treated with the utmost 
contempt.^ But, it may be inquired, if I mean to 
describe the British commanders as transformed into 
demons ? 

I only record notorious facts, and it is not my jour- 
nal, but the faithful and impartial pages of history 
that will transmit to posterity this stigma on the Eng- 
lish character. Gracious heavens ! are these the peo- 
ple from whom we derive our origin, and who are in- 
viting the Americans to a reconciliation ? A more 



* A friend, who w.is unfoitiinatcly a prisoner in New York, has 
recently favored mc with the following facts. In 1776, a number of 
prisoners were uiade by the British in our retreat from Long Island. 
Among others, a Lieutenant Dnnscomb, of New York. He and his 
fellow olTicers were ordered before the commanding general, who, in 
harsii language, reproached them for their crime of rebellion and its 
necessary con=ec|uenccs. A gentleman present, began to plead tiieir 
youth as an apology. It wonH do, said General Howe, you shall all 
be hanged 1 Hang, and be d — d,said Dunscomb. They hanged no one 
that I know of. but they played the fool by going through the farce of 
making tliem ride with a rope round tlieir necks seated on coffins to 
the gallows. Otlio ^Villiamp, subiequently Adjutant General to the 
southern army, and a most wortliy and amiable gentleman, I particu- 
larly know was treated in this manner. 



92 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

dreadful curse can scarcely be denounced ! It is worthy 
of observation, that the British and Hessian pri- 
soners in our hands were treated in a manner directly 
the reverse of that just described, and they never 
found cause to complain. It is some satisfaction to 
find, that since the brilliant success of our army in the 
Jerseys, and a considerable number of British and 
Hessians having fallen into our hands, the cruel severi- 
ties inflicted on our prisoners have been in some de- 
gree mitigated. To the foregoing unparalleled cata- 
logue of criminal proceedings, I have to add, from 
another writer, that the enemy wantonly destroyed 
the New York water works, an elegant public library 
at Trenton, and the grand orrery made by the cele- 
brated Rittenhouse, which was placed in the college 
at Princeton, a piece of mechanism which the most 
untutored savage, staying the hand of violence, would 
have beheld with wonder and delight. Thus are 
our cruel enemies warring against liberty, virtue and 
the arts and sciences. To make war against litera- 
ture and learning is the part of barbarians. I cannot 
resist the temptation to transcribe a few paragraphs 
from an elegant speech of Governor Livingston to the 
General Assembly of the state of New Jersey, March 
the 5th. " They have plundered friends and foes ; 
effects, capable of division, they have divided ; such 
as were not, they have destroyed : they have warred 
on decrepid old age, warred on defenceless youth ; 
they have committed hostilities against the professors 
of literature and the ministers of religion, against pub- 
lic records and private monuments ; books of improve- 
ment, and papers of curiosity ; and against the arts 
and sciences. They have butchered the wounded, 
asking for quarter ; mangled the dead, weltering in 
their blood ; refused to the dead the rites of sepulture ; 
suffered prisoners to perish for want of sustenance ; 
insulted the persons of females ; disfigured private 
dwellings of taste and elegance, and in the rage of 
impiety and barbarism, profaned edifices dedicated to 
Almighty God." 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 93 

Lake Champlain is now open and free from ice in 
its whole extent, and the hostile Indians begin to 
lurk about our lines, laying wait for their prey. A 
party of these savages in the British interest, a few 
days since, discovered about thirty of our unarmed 
recruits on their way to join their corps at Fort 
George, they immediately made their attack, killed 
and tomahawked some, made several prisoners, and 
escaped towards Canada ; a few of these men fortu- 
nately escaped, and several that were wounded were 
brought into our lines. Colonel Whitcomb with a 
party of continentals was ordered to pursue the In- 
dians, he overtook part of them and killed several, 
but the prisoners were carried off beyond his reach. 

An enterprize of little importance has lately been 
put in execution by a detachment of royalists from 
New York. Their object was to destroy some stores 
which were deposited at Peekskill. General McDou- 
gal, who had the command of the post, with a small 
number of men, found it prudent to retire, and the 
enemy accomplished in part the object of the expedi- 
tion. Lieutenant Colonel Willet however, with only 
sixty men, came on them by surprize, when a skirmish 
ensued which obliged them to retire with great pre- 
cipitation on board their vessels in the North River, 
after having suffered a considerable loss. 

April \st. — The term of service of Colonel Whit- 
comb's regiment having expired, they have now left 
the service and returned to New England. Having 
received^ an invitation from Dr. Jonathan Potts, the 
surgeon general in this department, to accept the 
office of surgeon's mate in the general hospital, I 
have received the said appointment and commenced 
my official duties accordingly at this place ; Dr. D. 
Townsend being at the same time appointed senior 
surgeon. We find here about eighty soldiers labor- 
ing under various diseases, and eight or ten that have 
been cruelly wounded by the savages who have been 
sculking in the woods in the vicinity. In our retired 



94 MILITARY JOURNALj 1777. 

situation here, we are unacquainted with any military 
transactions in other quarters till they transpire in the 
public papers. 

May. — It is just announced that the enemy have 
undertaken an expedition to Danbury, in Connecticut, 
for the purpose of destroying a magazine of stores at 
that place. Governor Tryon, a Major General of the 
Provincial troops in New York, was the commander 
of the detachment, consisting of one thousand eight 
hundred men, and Brigadier General Agnew, and 
Sir W. Erskine were commanders under him. When 
the enemy had landed and commenced their opera- 
tions in tlieir usual manner, by burning and destroying 
houses, and other buildings, tiie country was alarmed, 
the militia collected, and were commanded by Major 
General Wooster, Brigadier Generals Arnold and 
Silliman. A smart action soon ensued and continued 
about one hour, in which our militia and a small 
number of continentals conducted with distinguished 
bravery, but being overpowered by a superior force, 
they were obliged to retreat. The amount of stores 
destroyed by the enemy was very considerable, but 
the loss of valuable officers and men is infinitely more 
important. General Wooster was mortally wounded, 
and died soon after. Lieutenant Colonel Gould and 
four or five other officers were killed, and about 
sixty men were killed and wounded. Among the 
slain is Dr. Atwater, a respectable character whose 
death is greatly lamented. General Arnold had his 
horse shot under him when within ten yards of the 
enemy, and a soldier was advancing with fixed bayo- 
net towards him, when, with great presence of mind, 
he drew his pistol from his holsters and instantly shot 
him through the body. On the side of the royalists 
the loss, as stated by General Howe, is one hundred 
and seventy two in killed, wounded and missing, but 
by other accounts it is much more considerable. 
Among their wounded is Brigadier General Agnew 
and two otlier field oflicers. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 95 

A captain Roofa, and his Lieutenant, two noted 
torics, lately taken in arms as they were marching to- 
wards the enemy, were condemned by a court martial 
nnd hanged at Esopus, in the state of New York, as a 
suitable reward, says a writer in the newspaper, fop 
their treasonable practices, they having induced a 
number of others to enlist in the service of the 
enemy. 

June. — Congress have appointed Major General 
Schuyler to command in the nortliern department, 
including Albany, Ticonderoga, Fort Stanwix and 
their dependencies, and Major General St. Clair has 
the immediate command of the posts of Ticonderoga 
and Mount Independence. It is also undei*stood, that 
the British government have appointed Lieutenant 
General Burgoyne, commander in chief of their army 
in Canada, consisting, it is said, of eight or ten thou- 
sand men. According to authentic reports, the plan 
of the British government for the present campaign 
is, that General Burgoyne's army shall take possession 
of Ticonderoga, and force his way through the coun- 
try to Albany ; to facilitate this event, Colonel St. 
Leger is to march with a party of British, Germans, 
Canadians and Indians to the Mohawk river, and 
make a diversion in that quarter. The royal army 
at New York, under command of General Howe is to 
pass up the Hudson river, and, calculating on success 
in all quarters, the three armies are to form a junction 
at Albany. Here, probably, the three commanders 
are to congratulate each other on their mighty achieve- 
ments, and the flattering prospect of crushing the re- 
bellion. This being accomplished, the communica- 
tion between the southern and eastern states will be 
interrupted, and New England, as they suppose, may 
become an easy prey. Judging from the foregoing 
detail, a very active cam])aign is to be expected, and 
events of the greatest magnitude are undoubtedly to 
be unfolded. The utmost exertions are now making 
to strengthen our works at Ticonderoga, and if pos- 



96 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777\ ^^M 

sible, to render the post invulnerable. Mount Inde- 
pendence, directly opposite to Ticonderoga, is strong- 
ly fortified and well supplied with artillery. On the 
summit of the mount which is table land, is erected 
a strong fort, in the centre of which is a convenient 
square of barracks, a part of which are occupied for 
our hospital. The communication between these two 
places is maintained by a floating bridge ; it is sup- 
ported on twenty two sunken piers of very large tim- 
ber, the spaces between these are filled with separate 
floats, each about fifty feet long and twelve wide, 
strongly fastened together with iron chains and rivets. 
A boom composed of large pieces of timber well 
secured together by riveted bolts, is placed on the 
north side of the bridge, and by the side of this is 
placed a double iron chain, the links of which are 
one and a half inch square. The construction of this 
bridge, boom and chain, of four hundred yards in 
length, has proved a most laborious undertaking, and 
the expense must have been immense. It is how- 
ever supposed to be admirably adapted to the double 
purpose of a communication, and an impenetrable 
barrier to any vessels that might attempt to pass our 
works. By way of amusement I went with three 
gentlemen of our hospital to endeavor to explore a 
high mountain in this vicinity. With much difii- 
culty we clambered up and reached the summit. 
From this commanding eminence we had one of the 
most singularly romantic views which imagination can 
paint. Northward we behold Lake Champlain, a 
prodigious expanse of unruffled water, widening and 
straitening as the banks and clifts project into its 
channel. This lake extends about one hundred miles 
towards Quebec, and is from one to five miles wide. 
On each side is a thick uninhabited wilderness varie- 
gated by hills and dales ; here the majestic oak, ches- 
nut and pine, rear their lofty heads ; there the dimi- 
nutive shrub forms a thicket for the retreat of wild 
beasts. Looking south west from our stand we have 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 97 

a view of part of Lake George, emptying its waters into 
Lake Champlain, near Ticonderoga. Turning to the 
east, the prodigious heights called Green Mountains, 
ascending almost to the clouds, are exhibited to view, 
witli the settlements in that tract of territory called 
New Hampshire grant. The ancient fortress at 
Crown Point, is about twelve miles north of this place ; 
it is by nature a very strong position, but it has been 
abandoned by both armies. 

July 1st. — We are now assailed by a proclamation 
of a very extraordinary nature from General Bur- 
goyne, enumerating a string of titles, which he has 
doubtless received from his royal master as a reward 
for his merit. From the pompous manner in which 
he has arrayed his titles, we are led to suppose, that 
he considers them as more than a match for all the 
military force which we can bring against him. 
Tiiey stand thus, 

''" By John Burgoyne^ Esquire, Lieutenant Gen- 
eral of his Majesty^ s forces in America, Colonel of 
the Queen'^s regiment of Light Dragoons, Gover- 
nor of Fort William, in jYorth Britain, one of the 
Commons of Great Britain in Parliament, and 
coinmanding an army and fleet employed on an 
expedition from Canada, SfC. ^c." This sanguinary 
proclamation is to be viewed as the forerunner of his 
formidable army, and all the opposers of his authority 
are menaced with his avenging power. ^^ I have,'' 
says the proclamation, " but to give stretch to the 
Indian forces under my direction, and they amount 
to thousands, to overtake the hardened enemies of 
Great Britain and America. I consider them the 
same wherever they may lurk." The British minis- 
try, not satisfied with the disgraceful expedient of 
hiring foreign mercenaries, resort also to the savages 
of the wilderness for aid in the glorious cause of 
tyranny and of spreading the horrors of war by fire 
and sword throughout our country. The militia of 
New England are daily coming in to increase our 
13 



98 MILITARY JOUllNAL, 1777. 

strength; tlie uuinber of our troops, and our ability to 
defend the works against the approaching enemy, are 
considerations vvhicli belong to our commanding offi- 
cers ; in their breasts let the important secret remain, 
and in their superior judgment our confidence must 
be reposed. One fact, however, is notorious, that 
when the troops arc directed to man the lines, there 
is not a sufficient number to occupy their whole ex- 
tent. It appears, nevertheless, so far as I can learn, 
to be the prevalent opinion, that we shall be able to 
repel the meditated attack and defeat the views of 
the royal commander ; both officers and men are in 
high spirits and prepared for the contest. 

July 2d. — The British army is now approaching, 
some of their savage allies have been seen in the 
vicinity of our out works, which, with the block house 
beyond the old French lines, has this day been aban- 
doned. On the 3d and 4th, the enemy are making 
their approaches and gaining as is supposed some ad- 
vantages. They have taken possession of Mount 
Hope, our batteries are now opened, and a can- 
nonading has commenced. General St. Clair endea- 
vors to animate the troops, and orders every man to 
repair to the alarm posts at morning and evening 
roll call, and to be particularly alert and vigilant. 
There seems to be a diversity of opinion whether 
General Burgoyne intends to besiege our garrison, or 
to attempt to possess himself of it by an assault on 
our lines. 

5th. — It is with astonishment that we find the ene- 
my have taken possession of an eminence called 
Sugar-loaf Hill, or Mount Defiance, which, from its 
height and proximity, completely overlooks and com- 
mands all our works at Ticonderoga and Mount In- 
dependence. This mount it is said ought long since 
to have been fortified by our army, but its extreme 
difficulty of access, and the want of a sufficient num- 
ber of men are the reasons assigned for its being neg- 
lected. The situation of our garrison is viewed as 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 99 

tritical and alarming ; a few days, it is expected, will 
decide our fate. We have reason to apprehend the 
most fatal effects from their battery on Sugar-loaf Hill. 
14/A. — By reason of an extraordinary and unex- 
pected event, the course of my Journal has been 
interrupted for several days. At about 12 o'clock, 
in the night of the 5th instant, I was urgently called 
from sleep, and informed that our army was in motion, 
and was instantly to abandon Ticonderoga and Mount 
Independence, I could scarcely believe that my in- 
formant was in earnest, but the confusion and bustle 
soon convinced me that it was really true, and that 
the short time allowed demanded my utmost industry. 
It was enjoined on me immediately to collect the sick 
and wounded, and as much of the hospital stores as 
possible, and assist in embarking them on board the 
batteaux and boats at the shore. Having with all 
possible despatch completed our embarkation, at 3 
o'clock in the morning of the 6th, we commenced our 
voyage up the South bay to Skeensborough, about 
30 miles. Our fleet consisted of five armed gallies 
and two hundred batteaux and boats deeply laden 
with cannon, tents, provisions, invalids and women. 
We were accompanied by a guard of six hundred 
men, commanded by Colonel Long, of New Hampshire. 
The night was moon light and pleasant, the sun burst 
forth in the morning with uncommon lustre, the day 
was fine, the water's surface serene and unruffled. 
The shore on each side exhibited a variegated view 
of huge rocks, caverns and clifts, and the whole was 
bounded by a thick impenetrable wilderness. My 
pen would fail in the attempt to describe a scene so 
enchantingly sublime. The occasion was peculiarly 
interesting, and we could but look back with regret, 
and forward with apprehension. We availed our- 
selves, however, of the means of enlivening our 
spirits. The drum and fife afforded us a favorite 
music ; among the hospital stores we found many 
dozen of choice wine, and breaking off their necks 



100 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

we cheered our hearts with the nectareous contents. 
At 3 o'clock in the afternoon we reached our des- 
tined port at Skeensborough, being the head of 
navigation for our gallie§. Here we were unsuspicious 
of danger, but behold ! Burgoyne himself was at our 
heels. In less than two hours we were struck with 
surprize and consternation by a discharge of cannon 
from the enemy's fleet, on our gallies and batteaux 
laying at the wharf. By uncommon efforts and in- 
dustry they had broken through the bridge, boom 
and chain, which cost our people such immense labor, 
and had almost overtaken us on the lake, and hor- 
ridly disastrous indeed would have been our fate. It 
was not long before it was perceived that a number 
of their troops and savages had landed, and were 
rapidly advancing towards our little party. The 
officers of our guard now attempted to rally the men 
and form them in battle array ; but this was found 
impossible, every effort proved unavailing, and in the 
utmost panic, they were seen to fly in every direc- 
tion for personal safety. In this desperate condition, 
I perceived our officers scampering for their baggage ; 
I ran to the batteau, seized my chest, carried it a 
short distance, took from it a few articles, and instant- 
ly followed in the train of our retreating party. We 
took the route to Fort Ann, through a narrow defile 
in the woods, and were so closely pressed by the 
pursuing enemy, that we frequently heard calls from 
the rear to '* march on, the Indians are at our heels." 
Having marched all night we reached Fort Ann at 
5 o'clock in the morning, where we found provisions 
for our refreshment. A small rivulet called Wood 
Creek is navigable for boats from Skeensborough to 
Fort Ann, by which means some of our invalids and 
baggage made their escape ; but all our cannon, pro- 
visions, and the bulk of our baggage, with several in- 
valids, fell into the enemy's hands. 

On the 7th instant, we received a small reinforce- 
ment from Fort Edward, by order of Major General 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 101 

Schuyler, and on discovering that a detachment of 
the enemy under command of Colonel Hill had ar- 
rived in our vicinity, a party from our fort was order- 
ed to attack them in their covert in the woods. The 
two parties were soon engaged in a smart skirmish, 
which continued for several hours, and resulted 
greatly to our honor and advantage ; the enemy, 
being almost surrounded, were on the point of sur- 
rendering, when our ammunition being expended, and 
a party of Indians arriving and setting up the war 
whoop, this being followed by three cheers from their 
friends the English, the Americans were induced to 
give way and retreat. One Surgeon with a wounded 
Captain and twelve or fifteen privates, were taken 
and brought into our fort. The Surgeon informed 
me that he was in possession of books, &c. taken from 
my chest at Skeensborough, and singular to relate, 
some of the British prisoners obtained in the same 
manner, and had in their pockets, a number, oi private^ 
letters which I had received from a friend in Massa- 
chusetts, and which were now returned to me. Fort 
Ann being a small picket fort of no importance, 
orders were given to set it on fire, and on the 8th, 
we departed for Fort Edward, situated about 30 miles 
southward, on the banks of Hudson river. General 
St. Clair with his main army from Ticonderoga, took 
a circuitous route through the woods to Hubbard- 
town, and Charlestown, in the New Hampshire grants, 
and being pursued by a strong detachment from Bur- 
goyne's army, his rear guard, commanded by Colo- 
nel Francis, w^as overtaken, and on the 7th instant, a 
very close and severe engagement took place, in 
which bloody conflict, the brave Colonel Francis fell 
with other valuable oflicers, while fighting with dis- 
tinguished gallantry. The Americans made an 
honorable defence, and finally a secure retreat. We 
lost in this action about three hundred, in killed, 
wounded and prisoners. The enemy, according to 
estimation, about two hundred. On the 12th, Gen- 



lOa MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

eral St. Clair arrived here with the remains of his 
array, greatly distressed and worn down by fatigue. 
General Schuyler is commander at this post, he has 
a small army of continentals and militia, and is making 
every possible exertion, by taking up bridges, throw- 
ing obstructions in the roads and passes, by fallen 
trees, &c. to impede the march of Burgoyne's army 
towards Albany. 

The abandonment of Ticonderoga and Mount In- 
dependence has occasioned the greatest surprize and 
alarm. No event could be more unexpected nor 
more severely felt throughout our army and country. 
This disaster has given to our cause a dark and 
gloomy aspect, but our affairs are not desperate, and 
our exertions ought to be in proportion to our mis- 
fortunes and our exigencies. The conduct of Gen- 
eral St. Clair on this occasion has rendered him very 
unpopular, and subjected him to general censure and 
reproach ; there are some, indeed, who even accuse 
him of treachery ; but time and calm investigation 
must decide whether he can vindicate himself as a 
judicious and prudent commander. There is much 
reason to suppose that neither the strength of Bur- 
goyne's army, nor the weakness of our garrison were 
properly considered or generally understood. It 
must be universally conceded, that when the enemy- 
had effected their great object by hoisting cannon 
from tree, to tree, till they reached the sunjtmit of 
Sugar-loaf Hill, the situation of our garrison had 
become perilous in the extreme. General Schuylev 
is not altogether free from public reprehension, alleg- 
ing that he ought in duty to have been present at 
Ticonderoga during the critical period. It is pre- 
dicted by some of our well informed and respectable 
characters, that this event, apparently so calamitous, 
will ultimately prove advantageous, by drawing the 
British army into the heart of our country, and 
thereby place them more- immediately within our 
power. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 103 

It may be deemed ludicrous that I should record 
a rumor so extravagantly ridiculous as the follow- 
ing, but it has received too much credence to be 
altogether omitted. It has been industriously report- 
ed, that generals Schuyler and St. Clair, acted the 
part of traitors to their country, and that they were 
paid for their treason by the enemy in silver balls, 
shot from Burgoyne's guns into our camp, and that 
they were collected by order of General St. Clair 
and divided between him and General Schuyler. 

25th. — The sick soldiers under my care at this 
place have been accommodated in barracks and tents. 
I have now received orders to accompany them to 
the hospital at Albany, about 55 miles ; boats being 
provided, we embarked about forty sick and invalids, 
and proceeded down the North river, and arrived on 
the third day at the place of our destination. 

August 3d. — The pleasing information is received 
here that Lieutenant Colonel Barton, of the Rhode 
Island militia, planned a bold exploit for the purpose 
of surprizing and taking Major General Prescott, the 
commanding officer of the royal army at Newport. 
Taking with him, in the night, about forty men in 
two boats with oars muffled, he had the address to 
elude the vigilance of the ships of war, and guard 
boats, and having arrived undiscovered at the quar- 
ters of General Prescott, they were taken for the 
sentinels, and the General was not alarmed till his 
captors were at the door of his lodging chamber, 
which was fast closed. A negro man, named Prince, 
instantly thrust his beetle head through the pannel 
door and seized his victim while in bed. The gen- 
eral's aid de camp leaped from a window undressed 
and attempted to escape, but was taken, and with 
the general brought off in safety. In repassing the 
vyater guards. General Prescott said to Colonel Barton, 
" Sir, I did not think it possible you could escape 
the vigilance of the water guards." This is the 



104 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

second time that General Prescott has been a prisoner 
in our hands within two years. This adventure is 
extremely honorable to the enterprizing spirit of 
Colonel Barton, and is considered as ample retalia- 
tion for the capture of General Lee by Colonel 
Harcourt. The event occasions great joy and ex- 
ultation, as it puts in our possession an officer of 
equal rank with General Lee, by which means 
an exchange may be obtained. Congress resolv- 
ed that an elegant sword should be presented to 
Colonel Barton for his brave exploit. It has been 
ascertained that General Howe has relaxed in his 
rigid treatment of General Lee, and conducted to- 
wards him in a manner suitable to his rank. The 
Hessian officers, on whom retaliation had been inflict- 
ed, are also restored to their former condition as 
prisoners of war. 

It appears by the papers, that Congress resolved, 
on the 14th of June last, that the flag of the thirteen 
United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and 
white, that the union be thirteen stars, white in a 
blue field, representing a new constellation. 

His Excellency General Washington, at his quar- 
ters in the Jerseys, has published a manifesto in 
answer to General Burgoyne's proclamation, from 
which I extract a few paragraphs. He observes, 
^'' The associated armies in America act from the 
noblest motives, and for the purest purposes, — their 
common object is liberty. The same principles ac- 
tuated the arms of Rome in the days of her glory, 
and the same object was the reward of Roman valor. 
When these sacred ideas are profaned, when the 
abominable mixture of mercenary, foreign and sav- 
age forces dare to mention the love of country^ and 
the general privileges of mankind,''^ referring to 
Burgoyne's proclamation, '^ the freemen of America 
protest against such abuse of language and prostitu- 
tion of sentiment." In another paragraph, " We 
beg leave to observe, if the power of his Britannic 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 105 

Majesty's fleets and armies have been driven from 
Boston, repulsed from Charleston, cut off at Tren- 
ton, expelled the Jerseys, and be now after almost 
three campaigns, commencing its operation, that this 
is a power we do not dread." In the close, " Ha- 
rassed as we are by unrelenting persecution, obliged 
by every tie to repel violence by force, urged by 
self preservation to exert the strength which Provi- 
dence has given us to defend our natural rights 
against the aggressor ; we appeal to the hearts of all 
mankind for the justice of our cause ; its event we 
submit to Him who speaks the fate of nations, in 
humble confidence that as his omniscient eye taketh 
note even of the sparrow that falleth to the ground, 
so He will not withdraw his countenance from a peo- 
ple who humbly array themselves under his banner 
in defence of the noblest principles, with which he 
hath adorned humanity.'' It is a matter of pride 
to our country that our Commander in Chief has ex- 
hibited a production so far surpassing in dignity of 
sentiment and justness of observation the pompous 
proclamation to which this is a rejoinder. It is no 
less satisfactory to reflect, that the measure referred 
to has not been productive of those glorious advan- 
tages to tlie royal cause, or the dire consequences 
as respects our own, which the sanguine spirit of its 
author had contemplated. Thougli he threatened 
us with all the outrages of war, arrayed in terrific 
forms, aided by savages eager to be let loose on their 
prey, yet the proclamation has been viewed rather 
as a curious model of an ostentatious display of self 
importance than a formidable weapon calculated to 
awe a free people into submission. 

8//i. — We have just been apprized, by express 
from the Mohawk country, that Colonel St. Leger, 
and Sir John Johnson, with a body of Britons, Cana- 
dians, tories and Indians, had invested Fort Schuyler, 
one hundred and ten miles from Albany, that General 
Herkimer, with about eight hundred militia, was ad- 
14 



106 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

vancing to disperse this motley collection, aud to re- 
lieve the garrison ; but unfortunately he fell into an 
ambuscade and suffered a considerable loss. Being 
himself wounded in both legs, he was seen sitting on 
a stump and courageously encouraging his men, by 
which they maintained their ground and did great 
execution among the enemy. Several of the Indian 
chiefs were slain by the first fire, which so disheart- 
ened the remainder, that they were thrown into the 
greatest confusion, and turning on the tories, and 
other white people, a warm contention ensued be- 
tween them, and many of the whites were killed. 
Colonel Gansevort, the commander of the fort, sent 
out Lieutenant Colonel Willet with two hundred and 
fifty men, who bravely routed the Indians and tories, 
destroyed their provisions and took their kettles, 
blankets, muskets, tomahawks, deer skins, &c. with 
five colors, aud returned to the fort. The brave 
General Herkimer soon died of his wounds, and one 
hundred and sixty of his militia men, having fought 
like lions, were killed, besides a great number wound- 
ed. St. Leger's victory over our militia was pur- 
chased at a dear price, more than seventy of his In- 
dians were slain, and among them a large proportion 
of their most distinguished and favorite warriors, and 
the survivors were exceedingly dissatisfied. The 
object of the expedition was far from being accom- 
plished ; tile commander did not however despair of 
getting possession of the fort, for this purpose he sent 
in a flag demanding a surrender. He greatly magni- 
fied his own strength, asserted that Burgoyne was at 
Albany ; and threatened that on refusal his Indians 
would destroy all the inhabitants in the vicinity, and 
so soon as they could enter the fort every man would 
be sacrificed. Colonel Gansevort nobly replied in 
the negative, being determined to defend the fort at 
every hazard, aware however, of his perilous situa- 
tion, he found means of sending to General Schuyler 
at Stillwater for assistance. General Arnold was 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 17t^7. 107 

now despatched with a brigade of troops to attack 
the besiegers ; but finding their force greatly supe- 
rior to his own, he sent back for a reinforcement of 
one thousand liglit troops. 

An object which cannot be accomplished by force 
is often obtained by means of stratagem. Lieutenant 
Colonel John Brooks, an intelligent officer from Mas- 
sachusetts, being in advance with a small detachment, 
fortunately found one Major Butler, a noted officer 
among the Indians, endeavoring to influence the in- 
habitants in their favor, and he was immediately 
secured. A man also by the name of Cuyler, who 
was proprietor of a handsome estate in the vicinity, 
was taken up as a spy. Colonel Brooks proposed 
that he should be employed as a deceptive messenger 
to spread the alarm and induce the enemy to retreat. 
General Arnold soon after arrived, and approved 
the scheme of Colonel Brooks ; it was accordingly 
agreed that Cuyler should be liberated and his estate 
secured to him on the condition that he would re- 
turn to the enemy and make such exaggerated report 
of General Arnold's force as to alarm and put them 
to flight. Several friendly Indians being present, 
one of their head men advised that Cuyler's coat 
should be shot through in two or three places to add 
credibility to his story. Matters being thus adjusted, 
the impostor proceeded directly to the Indian camp, 
where he was well known, and informed their war- 
riors that Major Butler was taken, and that him- 
self narrowly escaped, several shot having passed 
through his coat, and that General Arnold with a 
vast force was advancing rapidly towards them. In 
aid of the project, a friendly Indian followed and 
arrived about an hour after, with a confirmation of 
Cuyler's report. This stratagem was successful, the 
Indians instantly determined to quit their ground, and 
make their escape, nor was it in the power of St. Leger 
and Sir John, with all their art of persuasion to pre- 
vent it. When St. Lcgcr remonstrated with them, the 



108 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

reply of the chiefs was, " When we marched down, 
you told us there would be no fighting for us 
Indians, we might go down and smoke our pipes ; 
but now a number of our warriors have been killed, 
and you mean to sacrifice us." The consequence was, 
that St. Leger, finding himself deserted by his In- 
dians, to the number of seven or eight hundred, 
deemed his situation so hazardous that he decamped 
in the greatest hurry and confusion, leaving his tents 
with most of his artillery and stores in the field. 
General Arnold with his detachment was now at 
liberty to return to the main army at Stillwater ; and 
thus have we clipped the right wing of General Bur- 
goyne. In the evening, while on their retreat, St. 
Leger and Sir John got into a warm altercation, 
criminating each other for the ill success of the ex- 
pedition. Two Sachems observing this, resolved to 
have a laugh at their expense. In their front was 
a bog of clay and mud, tliey directed a young war- 
rior to loiter in the rear, and then, of a sudden run 
as if alarmed, calling out they are comings they arc 
coming. On hearing this, the two commanders in 
a fright took to their heels, rushing into the bog, fre- 
quently falling and sticking in the mud, and the men 
threw away their packs and hurried off. This and 
other jokes, were several times repeated during the 
night for many miles. 

30^A. — The city of Albany is situated on the west 
bank of the Hudson, or North river, 160 miles north 
from New York, and the river admits of sloop navi- 
gation between these two cities. It consists of about 
three hundred houses, chiefly in the gothic style, the 
gable ends to the street. There is an ancient Dutch 
church of stone, a Congregational church, and a 
decent edifice called City Hall, which accommodates 
occasionally their general assembly and courts of jus- 
tice. The hospital was erected during the last 
French war, it is situated on an eminence overlook- 
ing the city. It is two stories high, having a wing 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 109 

at each end and a piazza in front above and below. 
It contains forty wards, capable of accommodating five 
hundred patients, besides the rooms appropriated to 
the use of surgeons and other oflicei's, stores, &c. 

Our army under General Schuyler have left their 
unimportant station at Fort Edward, and having 
made a stand for a few days at Saratoga, they fell 
back to Stillwater, twenty five miles above Albany, 
where they have taken their station, and are daily 
receiving reinforcements of militia and some conti- 
nental troops. On the retreat of our army from Fort 
Edward, Major Hull commanded the rear guard, 
and being two miles in the rear, was attacked by a 
large body of the enemy, and after a severe contest, 
in which he lost thirty or forty of his men, he was 
compelled to retreat. He received the thanks of 
General Schuyler for his brave and judicious conduct. 
General Burgoyne, we learn, is extremely embarrass- 
ed, and his march greatly impeded by the obstruc- 
tions in the roads effected by order of General Schuy- 
ler ; he has at length however, surmounted numerous 
difliculties, and reached the vicinity of Saratoga. 
Finding himself in want of provisions, horses to 
mount his cavalry, and teams to transport his stores 
and baggage, he resorted to one of the most chimeri- 
cal and romantic projects that coiild enter the imagi- 
nation of man. Being informed that a large quantity 
of stores, corn, cattle, &c. were deposited at Benning- 
ton, in the New Hampshire grants, he planned an expe- 
dition for the purpose of possessing himself of this trea- 
sure. Presuming, probably, that his late success and 
his manifesto had produced such wonderful effects, 
that no more opposition would be made to his pro- 
gress in the country. He despatched Colonel Baum, 
a German officer, with a party of five hundred Hes- 
sians and tories, and one hundred Indians, with two 
field pieces. The Colonel was furnished witli the 
following curious instructions, which fell into the 
hands of General Stark. " To proceed through the 



110 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

J^cw Hampshire Grants, cross the mountains, scoitr 
the country, with Peter^s corps [tories) and the 
Indians, from Rockingham to Otter creek, to get 
ho?'ses, caj^riages, and cattle, and mount ReideseVs 
regiment of dragoons, to go down Connecticut 
river as far as Brattleborough, and return by the 
great road to Albany, there to meet General Bur- 
goyne, to endeavor to make the country believe it 
ivas the advanced body of the GeneraVs army loho 
was to o'oss Connecticut river and proceed to Bos- 
ton ; and that at Springfield they were to be join- 
ed by the troops from Rhode Island, Ml officers, 
civil and military, acting under the Congress, were 
to be made prisoners. To tax the towns where they 
halted, with such articles as they wanted, and take 
hostages for the performance, Sfc. You are to 
bring all horses fit to mount the dragoons or to 
serve as battalion horses for the troops, with as 
many saddles and bridles as can be found. The 
number of horses requisite besides those for the 
dragoons ought to be thii^teen hundred, if you can 
bring more so much the better. The horses must 
be tied in strings of ten each, in order that one man 
may lead ten horses.^' This redoubtable comman- 
der surely must be one of the happiest men of the 
agCj, to imagine, that such prodigious achievements 
were at his command ; that such invaluable resources 
were within his grasp. But, alas ! the wisest of men 
are liable to disappointment in their sanguine calcu- 
lations, and to have their favorite projects frustrated 
by the casualties of war. This is remarkably verified 
in the present instance. Preceded by the manifesto, 
and having his commission in his pocket. Colonel Baum 
inarched, on the 14th of August, at the head of his 
command, to execute the orders of his general ; he 
proceeded about twelve or thirteen miles, where he 
halted and secured himself by entrenchments. It 
was a Providential circumstance, that General Stark 
was at or near Bennington, with about eight hun- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. Ill 

dred New England militia, part of whom being from 
the New Hampshire (irants, are called Green Moun- 
tain boys. He advanced towards the enemy to recon- 
noitre their position, and some skirmishing ensued, 
in which thirty of them with two Indian chiefs were 
killed and wounded, with little loss on our side. 
Colonel Baum, alarmed at his situation, despatched a 
messenger to ^^urgoyne for a reinforcement. The 
15th being a very rainy day, there was only some 
skirmishing in small parties. On the 16th, General 
Stark, assisted by Colonel Warner, matured his 
arrangements for battle ; he divided his troops into 
three divisions, and ordered Colonel Nichols, with 
two hundred and fifty men, to gain the rear of the 
left wing of the enemy, and Colonel Hendrick the 
rear of their right wing, with three hundred men, 
while he attacked their front. The Indians, alarmed 
at the appearance of being surrounded, endeavored 
to make their escape in a single file between the two 
parties, with their horrid yells and the gingling of 
cow bells. The flanking parties approaching each 
other in their rear, and General Stark, making a 
bold and furious onset in front, a general and close 
conflict ensued, and continued with more or less 
severityfor about two hours. Though Colonel Baum 
had nearly twice their numbers, and was defended 
by breastworks, the force opposed to them proved 
irresistible, forcing their breast works at the muzzles 
of their guns, and obliging them to ground their arms 
and surrender at discretion, so that the victory on our 
part was complete. We took two pieces of brass can- 
non, and a number of prisoners, with baggage, &c. 
This was no sooner accomplished, than Colonel Brey- 
man, with one thousand German troops, arrived with 
two field pieces, to reinforce Colonel Baum, who had 
just been defeated. General Stark's troops were now 
scattered, some attending the wounded, some guard- 
ing the prisoners, and still more in pursuit of plun- 
der ; and all exhausted by extreme hunger and 



112 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

fatigue. At this critical moment, Colonel Warners 
regiment arrived, and the other troops being rallied, 
the whole were ordered to advance. A field piece 
had been taken from Baura in the forenoon, and 
Stark ordered it to be drawn to the scene of action, 
but his men having never seen a cannon, knew not 
how to load it, the general dismounted and taught 
them by loading it himself. An ^tion soon com- 
menced, and proved warm and desperate, in which 
both sides displayed the most daring bravery, till 
night approached, when the enemy yielded a second 
time in one day, to their Yankee conquerors. The 
German troops being totally routed, availed them 
selves of the darkness of night to effect their 
retreat. The whole number of killed, wounded 
and prisoners, was nine hundred and thirty four, 
including one hundred and fifty seven tories ; of 
this number, six hundred and fifty four are prison- 
ers. Colonel Baum received a mortal wound, of 
which he soon after died. Besides the above, one 
thousand stand of arms, four brass field pieces, two 
hundred and fifty dragoon swords, eight loads of 
baggage, and twenty horses fell into our hands. The 
loss on our side, is not more than one hundred in the 
whole. The officers and men engaged in this splen- 
did enterprize merit all the praise which a grateful 
country can bestow'; they fought disciplined troops 
completely accoutred, while they wielded their ordi- 
nary firelocks with scarce a bayonet, and at first with- 
out cannon. The consequences must be most auspi- 
cious as respects our affairs in the northern depart- 
ment. Burgoyne must feel the clipping of another 
wing, and it must diminish his confidence in his suc- 
cessful career. The event will also be productive of 
the happiest effects on the spirits of our militia, by 
increasing their confidence in their own prowess. 
The following anecdote, deserves to be noticed for 
the honor of the person who is the subject of it, 
tliough his name has not been ascertained. A vene- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 113 

rable old man had five sons in the field of battle near 
Bennington, and being told that he had been unfor- 
tunate in one of his sons, replied, What, has he mis- 
behaved, did he desert his post, or shrink from the 
charge ? No sir, says the informant, worse than that, 
he is among the slain, he fell contending mightily in 
the cause. Then I am satisfied, replied the good 
old man ; bring him in, and lay him before me, that 
I may behold and survey the darling of my soul. 
On winch the corpse was brought in and laid before 
him. He then called for a bowl of water and a nap- 
kin, and with his own hands washed the gore and dirt 
from his son's corpse, and wiped his gaping wounds, 
with a complacency, as he himself expressed it, which 
before he had never felt or experienced. 

Major General Horatio Gates has superseded 
General Schuyler as commander in chief of the 
northern department, and has passed through this 
city on his way to Stillwater. This appointment 
will be very satisfactory to our army, as General 
Gates has the respect and confidence of the New 
England troops. 

September 2d. — General Gates has issued a pro- 
clamation to counteract any influence which Bur- 
goyne's sanguinary manifesto might have produced, 
interdicting all communication with the royal army, 
and endeavoring to calm the fears of the inhabitants, 
by promising them all the protection in his power. 
Burgoyne's manifesto, however, denouncing fire and 
sword, instead of alarming into submission, excites 
universal indignation and contempt ; instead of con- 
ciliating, and increasing the number of his friends, 
serves only to exasperate and augment our means 
of resistance and opposition to his views. It was 
not long indeed before some innocent persons were 
made victims of savage barbarity, by means of the 
tomahawk and scalping knife, in the hands of the 
barbarians under his command. Among the first of 
these victims, was Miss Jenny McCrea, who was 
15 



114 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

murdered in a manner extremely shocking to the 
feelings of humanity. The father of Miss McCrea 
was friendly towards the royalists, and the young 
lady was engaged to marry a refugee officer in Bur- 
goyne's army, by the name of Jones, and waited his 
arrival in order to have the marriage consummated. 
When our army retreated from Fort Edward, Miss 
McCrea had the indiscretion to remain behind, pro- 
bably with the expectation of meeting her lover. 
The Indians however, soon made her their prisoner, 
and on their return towards Burgoyne's camp, a 
quaiTel arose to decide who should hold possession 
of the fair prize. During the controversy, one of 
the monsters struck his tomahawk into her skull, and 
immediately stripped off her scalp. 

General Gates complains to General Burgoyne of 
this and other outrages in the following words. ^' A 
young lady, Miss McCrea, lovely to the sight, of 
virtuous character and amiable disposition, engaged 
to be married to an officer in your army, was, with 
other women and children, taken out of a house near 
Fort Edward, carried into the woods, and there 
scalped and mangled in a most shocking manner. 
Two parents with their six children, were all treated 
with the same inhumanity, while quietly residing in 
their own happy and peaceful dwellings. The mis- 
erable fate of Miss McCrea was peculiarly aggravat- 
ed by her being dressed to receive her promised 
husband — but met her murderer, employed by you. 
Upwards of one hundred men, women and children, 
have perished by the hands of ruffians, to whom it 
is asserted you have paid the price of blood." This 
appears since to be rather an exaggerated charge. 
In General Burgoyne's reply, he says, ^^ The fact 
was no premediated barbarity, on the contrary, two 
chiefs who had brought Miss McCrea off, for the 
purpose of security, not of violence to her person, 
disputed which should be her guard, and in a fit of 
savage passion, in the one from whose hands she was 



MILITAUV JOURNAL, 1777. 115 

snatched, the unhappy woman became the victim." 
He expressed sorrow and regret for the tragic 
scenes, and further stated that he obliged the In- 
dians to give up the murderer into his hands, and 
he certainly should have suffered an ignominious 
death, had he not been convinced that a pardon on 
his terms would be more efficacious than an execu- 
tion, to prevent further mischief. That he paid for 
scalps he denies ; but the Indians were to receive 
compensation for prisoners. This cruel conduct of 
the royalists is contemplated with horror and detes- 
tation by all ranks of people, except their friends 
and adherents. It is impossible not to detest that 
cause and that army which accepts the aid of Savage 
auxiliaries, and encourages them in inhuman slaughter 
and bloodshed. This measure was certainly coun- 
tenanced and recommended by his Majesty, and his 
ministers, and General Burgoyne acknowledges that 
he allowed the Indians to take the scalps of the dead. 
It must be most painful for the impartial historian to 
record, and it will require the strongest faith of the 
reader in future ages to credit, the disgraceful story, 
that Britons who pride themselves on their civility, 
and humanity, employed the wild Savages of the 
wilderness in a war against a people united to them 
by the ties of consanguinity. That age, and the 
helpless invalid, women, and children at the breast, 
are all alike subjected to the merciless fury of bar- 
barians. That British generals should be so regard- 
less of the dignity of their station, and the voice 
of humanity, as to receive from the hands of these 
ferocious wretches the scalps torn from the skulls of 
innocent persons ! 

13//^. — There is a constant intercourse kept up 
between this city and our army near Stillwater, by- 
which we are regularly apprised of daily occurrences. 
It is now ascertained that Burgoyne has crossed the 
Hudson, and encamped at Saratoga, about thirty six 
miles above Albany. 



116 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

17th. — General Gates, reposing full confidence in 
the courage and strength of his army, seems to have 
determined to march and confront his formidable 
enemy, and endeavor to force him and his troops 
back to Canada, which, in his orders, issued to inspire 
his troops with ardor, he says, " has been successfully 
begun by General Stark and Colonel Warner at the 
eastward ; and by General Herkimer and Colonel 
Gansevort at the westward ; and cannot, with the 
blessing of Heaven, fail to be equally prosperous in 
the hands of the generals and soldiers appointed to 
face the enemy's main army at the northward. If 
the murder of aged parents, with their innocent 
children ; if mangling the blooming virgin, and in- 
offensive youth, are inducements to revenge — if the 
righteous cause of freedom, and the happiness of pos- 
terity, are motives to stimulate to conquer their 
mercenary and merciless foes, the time is now come, 
when they are called on by their country, by their 
general, and by every thing divine and human, to 
vanquish the foe." 

ihth, and l^th. — Our army is advancing towards 
the enemy in three columns, under Generals Lincoln 
and Arnold, General Gates in the centre. A terrible 
conflict is daily expected, both parties appear to be 
determined to commence the work of destruction. 

20th. — By express arrived in this city last night, 
it is announced that the two armies fought in the 
field, yesterday, a very sanguinary battle, the particu- 
lars of which are not fully understood ; but it is re- 
ported that from the closeness and obstinacy of the 
combat, the carnage on both sides was prodigious. It 
is with inexpressible satisfaction that we learn our 
troops behaved with that undaunted bravery which 
has secured to them the victory, and were it not for 
the darkness of the evening when the battle closed, 
it would have been more complete. 

2\st, and 22(1. — A considerable number of officers 
and soldiers who were wounded in the late battle, 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 117 

have been brought here to be accommodated in our 
hospital, or in private houses in this city. Several 
of tliese unfortunate but brave men have received 
wounds of a very formidable and dangerous nature, 
and many of them must be subjected to capital ope- 
rations. 

23(/. — From the officers who were engaged in the 
battle, I have obtained the following particulars. 
Our army under the command of General Gates, was 
stationed in the vicinity of Stillwater, when they ad- 
vanced towards the enemy and offered them battle. 
Colonel Morgan's regiment of riflemen, and Major 
Dearborn's light infantry, being in front, received 
the first fire about noon, on the 19th instant. Gen- 
eral Burgoyne was at the head of his army, and 
Generals Phillips, Reidesel and Frazer, with their 
respective commands, were actively engaged. At 
about three o'clock, both armies being formed in a 
line of battle, the action became general, and the 
combatants on both sides evinced that ardor and gal- 
lantry which shows a determination to conquer or 
die. The firing for about three hours was incessant, 
with continued tremendous roar and blaze, filling the 
field with carnage and death. Few battles have been 
more obstinate and unyielding — at one point the 
British are overpowered ; but being reinforced, the 
Americans are bafiled, these, being supported and 
renewing their efforts regain their advantages ; the 
same ground is occupied alternately, the dead and 
wounded of both parties are mingled together. The 
British resort repeatedly to their bayonets without 
effect — the Americans resist and foil their attempts. 
Captain Jones, of the British artillery, had the com- 
mand of four pieces of cannon, which he conducted 
with great skill and valor till he fell, and thirty six 
out of forty eight of his artillery men were killed or 
wounded ; his cannon were repeatedly taken and re- 
taken, but finally remained with the enemy for the 
want of horses to bring them off. During the engage- 



118 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

ment, a number of our soldiers placed themselves in 
the boughs of high trees, in the rear and flanks, and 
took every opportunity of destroying the British ofli- 
cers by single shot ; in one instance. General Bur- 
goyne was the object, but the aid de camp of General 
Phillips received the ball through his arm, while 
delivering a message to Burgoyne ; the mistake, it is 
said, was occasioned by having his saddle furnished 
with rich lace, and was supposed by the marksman, 
to be the British commander. In the dusk of even- 
ing the battle terminated, the British in one quarter 
silently retreating, the Americans in another give 
way, and quit the long contested field. Lieutenant 
Colonel Brooks, with the eighth Massachusetts regi- 
ment, remained in the field till about eleven o'clock, 
and was the last who retired. Major Hull command- 
ed a detachment of three hundred men, who fought 
with such signal ardor, that more than half of them 
were killed or wounded. The whole number of 
Americans engaged in this action, was about two 
thousand five hundred ; the remainder of the army, 
from its unfavorable situation, took little or no part 
in the action. The British have suffered a loss, as is 
supposed, of more than five hundred in killed, wound- 
ed and prisoners. On the side of the Americans, 
sixty four were killed, two hundred and seventeen 
wounded, and thirty eight missing. Among the kill- 
ed, are Colonels Adams and Colburn, two valuable 
oflicers much regretted. The victory on this im- 
portant occasion is claimed by the enemy, but the 
advantages are most decidedly on the side of the 
Americans ; they were the assailants — they held their 
ground during the day, and at the close retired to 
their encampment without being pursued. The royal 
army lay all the ensuing night on their arms at some 
distance from the field of battle. 

24:th. — General Lincoln having the command of a 
body of New England militia, detached Col. Brown 
with five hundred men to the landing at lake George, 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 119 

about tliree miles from Ticonderoga, and more than 
forty miles in the rear of the British army. Two 
other detachments were also sent towards Mount 
Independence, Fort Ann and Fort Edward. These 
expeditions being faithfully executed, were attended 
with complete success. Colonel Brown had the ad- 
dress to surprise all the out posts in the vicinity of 
Ticonderoga, and took immediate possession of Mount 
Defiance, Mount Hope, and a block house, with two 
hundred batteaux, an armed sloop, and several gun 
boats, about three hundred prisoners, w ith their small 
arms, and released one hundred American prisonei's 
from their confinement. 

October 1st. — The situation of the royal army un- 
der Burgoyne, is now considered extremely preca- 
rious ; his march to Albany is deemed absolutely im- 
practicable, and a retreat to Canada must be attend- 
ed with insurmountable difficulties and dangers. It 
is well understood, that he calculates on the co-opera- 
tion of Sir Henry Clinton, by sending from New 
York, a force up the North river to endeavor to 
effect a passage to Albany, or at least, to occasion 
such alarm, as to draw off a part of General Gates' 
army from before him. Messengers or persons in 
the character of spies, are frequently suspected of 
passing from one British commander to the other. 
A man, by name Nathan Palmer, was, a few days 
since, seized in General Putnam's camp, at Peeks- 
kill, under suspicious circumstances, and on trial was 
found to be a lieutenant in the tory new levies, and he 
was executed as a spy. 

4th. — By intelligence from camp, it appears, that 
Burgoyne has thrown up a line of entrenchments in 
front of his camp, and is making every possible eifort 
to strengthen his position and prepare for another 
conflict. The Canadians and his Savage allies being 
greatly dissatisfied and discouraged, have deserted 

• For General Putnam's letter to Governor Tryon, respectinj Palmer, 
see life of Putnam in the Appendix. 



130 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

his standard since the last battle. The advantages 
obtained over the enemy on this occasion, excites 
the greatest exultation and rejoicing throughout our 
army and country. It is indeed a remarkable fact, 
which must animate the heart of every friend to the 
cause of America, that our troops, so little accustomed 
to encounter the prowess of European veterans, and 
the peculiar warfare of the Savages, should face these 
enemies with such undaunted courage and intre- 
pidity. Sanguine hopes are now entertained, that we 
shall, by the help of Providence, be finally enabled 
to destroy or capture the whole British army. Our 
troops are panting for another opportunity of dis- 
playing their valor, and another dreadful conflict is 
daily expected ; alternate hopes and fears continually 
agitate our minds and create the greatest anxiety and 
solicitude. What can excite ideas more noble and 
sublime, than impending military events, on which 
depend the destiny of a nation ? 

Q>th. — An express passed through this city, on his 
way to General Gates' head quarters, with the infor- 
mation, that a detachment of troops from New York, 
supposed to be about four thousand, under com- 
mand of Sir Henry Clinton, and General Vaughan, 
have undertaken an expedition up the North river. 
Their object undoubtedly is, to possess themselves of 
Fort Montgomery, and Fort Clinton, in the high 
lands, and to make a diversion in favor of Burgoyne. 
General Putnam was stationed at Peekskill with a 
small force, but being totally unable to cope with the 
enemy, has retired to some distance. Should this 
expedition be crowned with success, it will be in the 
power of Sir Henry Clinton, to convey his army 
to this city, and even to our camp at Stillwater, 
which will place our army between two fires. Should 
General Gates detach a part of his troops to oppose the 
march of General Clinton, it will liberate Burgoyne, 
and he would probably force his way to this city. 
In either event, the consequences must be exceed- 



Military journal, 1777. 121 

ingly disastrous to our country. We tremble with 
apprehensions. 

Sth. — The anticipated important intelligence has 
just reached us, that a most severe engagement took 
place yesterday, between the two armies, at a place 
between Stillwater and Saratoga, called Bemis' 
Heights. It is supposed to be the hardest fought 
battle, and the most honorable to our army, of any 
since the commencement of hostilities. The enemy 
was completely repulsed in every quarter, and his 
defeat was attended with irreparable loss of officers, 
men, artillery, tents and baggage. Our officers and men 
accpiired the highest honor, they fought like heroes 
and their loss is very inconsiderable. General Arnold 
has received a wound in his leg. I am impatient to 
receive the particular details of this capital event. 

9fh and lOth. — I am fortunate enough to obtain 
from our officers, a particular account of the glorious 
event of the 7th instant. The advanced parties of 
the two armies came into contact, about three o'clock 
on Tuesday afternoon, and immediately displayed 
their hostile attitude. The Americans soon approach- 
ed the royal army, and each party in defiance awaited 
the deadly blow. The gallant Colonel Morgan, at 
the head of his famous rille corps, and Major Dear- 
born, leading a detachment of infantry, commenced 
the action, and rushed courageously on the British 
grenadiers, commanded by Major Ackland ; and the 
furious attack was most firmly resisted. In all parts 
of tlic field, the conflict became extremely arduous 
and obstinate ; an unconquerable spirit on each side 
disdaining to yield the palm of victory. Death ap- 
peared to have lost his terrors ; breaches in the ranks 
were no sooner made than supplied by fresh com- 
batants awaiting a similar fate. At length the Ame- 
ricans press forward with renewed strength and 
ardor, and compel the whole British line, command- 
ed by Burgoyne himself, to yield to their deadly 
fire, and they retreat in disorder. The German troops 
16 



X22 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

remain firmly posted at their lines ; these were now 
boldly assaulted by Brigadier General Learned, and 
Lieutenant Colonel Brooks, at the head of their re- 
spective commands, with such intrepidity, that the 
works were carried, and their brave commander, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Breyman was slain. The Germans 
were pursued to their encampment, which, with all 
the equipage of the brigade, fell into our hands. 
Colonel Cilley, of General Poor's brigade, having ac- 
quitted himself honorably, was seen astride on a brass 
field piece, exulting in the capture. Major Hull, 
of the Massachusetts line, was among those who so 
bravely stormed the enemy's entrenchment and acted 
a conspicuous part. General Arnold, in consequence 
of a serious misunderstanding with General Gates, 
was not vested with any command, by which he was 
exceedingly chagrined and irritated. He entered 
the field however, and his conduct was marked with 
intemperate rashness ; flourishing his sword and ani- 
mating the troops, he struck an oflBlcer on the head 
without cause, and gave him a considerable wound. 
He exposed himself to every danger, and with a small 
party of riflemen, rushed into the rear of the enemy, 
where he received a ball which fractured his leg, and 
his horse was killed under him. Nightfall put a stop 
to our brilliant career, though the victory was most 
decisive, and it is with pride and exultation that we 
recount the triumph of American bravery. Besides 
Lieutenant Colonel Breyman slain. General Frazer, 
one of the most valuable officers in the British ser- 
vice, was mortally wounded and survived but a few 
hours.* Sir Francis Clark, aid de camp to General 

* The death of General Frazer, from Professor Silliman's Travels. 
" In the action of 7th October, 1777, Frazer was the soul of the British 
array, and was just changing the disposition of a part of the troops to 
repel a strong impression which the Americans had made, and were 
still making, on the British right, when Morgan called together two or 
three of his best marksmen, and pointing to Frazer, said, " Do you see 
that gallant officer, that is General Fr&zer, — I respeot and honor him ; 
but it is necessary he should die." This was enough. Frazer imme- 
diately receiTcd his mortal wound and was carried off the field." See 
fhe Appendix. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 123^ 

Burgoyne, was brought into our camp with a mortal 
wound, and Major Ackland, who commanded the 
British grenadiers, was wounded through both legs, 
and is our prisoner. Several other officers and about 
two huu vlred privates are prisoners in our hands, 
with nine pieces of cannon and a considerable supply 
of ammunition, which was much wanted for our troops. 
The loss on our side is supposed not to exceed thirty 
killed, and one hundred wounded, in obtaining this 
signal victory. 

Wth. — The night after the battle, Burgoyne silent- 
ly moved from his position, and on the 8th, there 
was considerable skirmishing through the day, with 
some loss on both sides. We have to lament the 
misfortune of Major General Lincoln, who, while re- 
connoitring the enemy, advanced so near, that a whole 
volley of musketry was discharged at him, and he 
received a dangerous wound in his leg. It is report- 
ed, that the day after the battle, upwards of one hun- 
dred of the enemy's dead were found unburied in 
the field. General Gates having detached a body 
of troops to get into the rear of the British army, 
Burgoyne took the alarm, and resolved to retreat 
immediately to Saratoga ; accordingly in the night 
of the 9th instant, he silently moved off, leaving in 
our possession his hospital, containing three hundred 
sick and wounded, with medicinal stores, and two hun- 
dred barrels of flour, &c. It is a fact, both unaccounta- 
ble and disgraceful, that on their retreat they com- 
mitted the most wanton devastations, burning and 
destroying almost every house within their reach ; 
the elegant and valuable country seat of General 
Schuyler, near Saratoga, did not escape their fury. 
The situation of the royal army is now extremely 
deplorable, and there is scarcely a possibility of their 
final escape. General Gates has so arranged his 
forces as to cut off their retreat, and is endeavoring to 
surround them on every quarter. May the Almighty 
Ruler grant that our efforts may be cvowned with 
still more glorious success. 



124 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

12,th. — ^The wounded officers and soldiers of our 
army, and those of the enemy who have fallen into 
our hands, are crowding into our hospital, and re- 
quire our constant attention. The last night I 
watched with the celebrated General Arnold, whose 
leg was badly fractured by a musket ball while in 
the engagement with the enemy on the 7th instant. 
He is very peevish, and impatient under his mis- 
fortunes, and required all my attention during the 
night, but I devoted an hour in writing a letter to 
a friend in Boston detailing the particulars of the 
late battle. 

In the severe battle of the 7th, General Burgoyne 
himself, it is now ascertained, had a hair breadth 
escape, having one bullet pass through his hat and 
another tore his waistcoat.* 

We have the most flattering accounts from camp. 
Our army is now posted within musket shot of the 
enemy at Saratoga, and are forming a circle round 
them. Some skirmishing takes place every day, in 

* The following anecdote shows the imminent danger to which a part 
of General Gates' army was at one time exposed. General Gates 
had received what he supposed to be certain intelligence that the 
main body of Burgoyne's army had marched off for Fort Edward, and 
that a rear guard only was left in the camp, who after a while were 
to push off as fast as possible, leaving the heavy baggage behind. On 
this it was concluded to advance and attack the camp in half an hour. 
General Nixon's being the eldest brigade, crossed the Saratoga Creek 
first : unknown to the Americans, Burgoyne had a line formed behind 
a parcel of brushwood to support the post of artillery where the attack 
was to be made. General Glover with his brigade, was on the point 
of following Nixon. Just as he entered the water, he saw a British 
soldier crossing, whom he called and cxeunined. This soldier was a 
deserter, and communicated the very important fact, that the whole 
British army were in their encampment. Nixon was immediately 
stopped, and the intelligence conveyed to Gates, who countermanded 
his orders for the assault, and called back his troops, not without 
sustaining some loss from the British artillery. — Gordon and Marshal. 

N. B. General Wilkinson who acted as General Gates' Adjutant Gen- 
eral, asserts in his memoirs, that he first discovered the British at their 
post, through a thick fog while his horse halted to drink in fording the 
creek, and that he instantly arrested the march of our troops, and 
tliereby saved them from destruction. He makes no mention of the 
deserter. It is known that Burgoyne has frequently expressed his 
extreme disappointment, that he was baffled in this stratagem ; and 
Americans ought never to forget the remarkable Providential escape. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 125 

which we have taken one hundred and twenty priso- 
ners, and have received one hundred and sixty de- 
serters. A party of our men have taken fifty bat- 
teaux loaded with provisions, stores, and medicines, 
among which are one thousand barrels of pork and 
beef. This must be to the enemy an irreparable 
loss, and a blow which must hasten the destruction 
or surrender of their whole army. 

14 th. — We have now a confirmation of the intelli- 
gence that Sir Henry Clinton and General Vaughan 
have pushed up the North river, and made a suc- 
cessful attack on our forts at the highlands. Fort 
Montgomery, and Fort Clinton, are near to each 
other, on the western bank of the Hudson. They 
have been considered of great importance as defen- 
sive posts, against the passage of the enemy up the 
river. In addition to these forts, a strong boom, 
and an iron chain of immense size, were stretched 
across the river, and a frigate and two gallies were 
stationed above them. • By these means it was al- 
ways supposed that the position was invulnerable, 
provided a proper number of troops were posted in 
the forts ; but it unfortunately happened that most 
of the continental troops were necessarily called off 
to join General Gates' army. The forts were de- 
fended by Governor George Clinton, and his brother 
General James Clinton, of New York, having about 
six hundred rnilitia men, a force greatly inadequate 
to the defence of the works. The enemy came up 
the river, landed, and appeared unexpectedly, and 
demanded a surrender of the forts, which being re- 
solutely refused, were taken by assault, though not 
without a firm and brave resistance. General James 
Clinton received a bayonet wound in his thigh, but 
he and the Governor with a part of the garrison 
made their escape, leaving about two hundred and 
fifty men killed, wounded and prisoners. The ene- 
my suffered a severe loss of three field officers killed, 
and their dead and wounded is estimated at about 



126 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

three hundred. General Putnam, who commanded 
at Peekskill in the vicinity, having a small force only 
to guard the deposit of stores, was obliged to retire, 
and the barracks, stores and provisions, to a very 
considerable amount, fell into the hands of the enemy 
and were destroyed. With wanton cruelty they set 
fire to the houses and buildings of every description, 
and spread ruin and devastation to the extent of their 
power. To consummate their destructive scheme, 
General Vaughan destroyed by conflagration, the beau- 
tiful town of Esopus, with the church, and every 
other building it contained. Thus we experience 
the horrid effects of malice and revenge; where they 
cannot conquer, they wantonly exterminate and de- 
stroy. They are well apprised of the disastrous and 
desperate situation of their boastful General Bur- 
goyne, and if they dare not march to his relief, they 
can cowardly retaliate by conflagration with im- 
punity. It is the prevalent opinion here, that by 
taking advantage of wind and tide, it is in the power 
of Sir Henry Clinton to convey his forces to this city 
within the space of five or six hours, and having 
arrived here, a march of about twenty miles will 
carry him without opposition to Stillwater, which 
must involve General Gates in inexpressible embar- 
rassment and difliculty, by placing him between two 
armies, and thereby extricating Burgoyne from his 
perilous situation. We have been tremblingly alive 
to this menacing prospect, but our fears are in a 
measure allayed by the following singular incident. 
After the capture of Fort Montgomery, Sir Henry 
Clinton despatched a messenger by the name of Daniel 
Taylor, to Burgoyne with the intelligence; fortunately 
he was taken on his way as a spy, and finding him- 
self in danger, he was seen to turn aside and take 
something from his pocket and swallow it. General 
George Clinton, into whose hands he had faflen, or- 
dered a severe dose of emetic tartar to be admin- 
istered ; this produced the happiest effect as respects 



MILITAUY JOURNAL, 1777. 127 

the prescriber ; but it proved fatal to the patient. 
He discharged a small silver bullet, which being 
unscrewed, was found to enclose a letter from Sir 
Henry Clinton to Burgoyne. " Out of thine own 
mouth thou shalt be condemned." The spy was 
tried, convicted and executed. The following is an 
exact copy of the letter enclosed. 

Fort Montgomery y October Sth, 1777. 
Nous voici — and nothing between us but Gates. 
I sincerely hope this little success of ours may facili- 
tate your operations. In answer to your letter of 
the 28th of September by C. C. I shall only say, I 
cannot presume to order, or even advise, for reasons 
obvious. I heartily wish you success. 

Faithfully yours, 

H. CLINTON. 
To General Burgoyne. 

I4th. — An express from camp. Burgoyne has 
this day made proposals to General Gates to enter 
into a treaty for the surrender of his army. He 
desires a cessation of arms till the preliminary terms 
can be settled, to which General Gates has assented. 
The glorious event is about to be consummated. 

15th, and 16^^. — Burgoyne's message to General 
Gates by the hands of Major Kingston is as follows. 

October \Ath, 1777. 

<» After having fought you twice. Lieutenant Gen- 
eral Burgoyne has waited some days^ in his present 
position, determined to try a third conflict against 
any force you could bring to attack him. 

<* He is apprised of the superiority of your num- 
bers, and the disposition of your troops to impede 
his supplies and render his retreat a scene of carnage 
on both sides. In this situation he is impelled by 
humanity, and thinks himself justified by established 
principles and precedents of state and of war, to 



128 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

spare the lives of brave men on honorable terms : 
should Major General Gates be inclined to treat on 
this idea, General Burgoyne would propose a cessa- 
tion of arras during the time necessary to communi- 
cate the preliminary terms, by which in any ex- 
tremity, he, and his army, mean to abide.'' 

A convention was in consequence opened, and two 
days were spent in a discussion and interchange of 
articles between the two commanders. It was agreed 
that the articles should be mutually signed and ex- 
changed to-morrow morning the 17th instant, at 9 
o'clock ; and the troops under Lieutenant General 
Burgoyne are to march out of their intrenchments 
at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. 

The substance of the treaty is, that the troops 
under the command of General Burgoyne shall march 
out of their camp with the honors of war, and their 
field artillery, to the place assigned, where their arms 
and artillery shall be piled at the command of their 
own officers. 

That the troops be allowed to return to England, 
on condition that they shall not serve again in Ame- 
rica during the present war. That the officers be 
allowed to wear their side arms and be treated ac- 
cording to their rank. That the European troops 
march immediately for Boston, to be in readiness to 
embark when transports shall be sent for them, and 
that the Canadians be permitted to return home 
immediately, on the sole condition of their not arming 
again against the United States. 

18//?. — At the appointed hour yesterday morning 
the Americans marched into the lines of the British 
to the tune of Yankee Doodle, where they continued 
till the royal army had marched to the place ap- 
pointed and deposited their arms according to the 
treaty. 

It is a circumstance characteristic of the amiable 
and benevolent disposition of General Gates, that, 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 129 

unwilling to aggravate the painful feelings of the 
royal trooj)s, he would not permit the Americaa 
soldiery to witness the degrading act of piling their 
arms. This instance of delicacy and politeness, at 
the moment of triumph, towards an enemy who had 
committed the most unprecedented outrages, is a 
mai'k of true magnanimity, and deserves the highest 
praise, though it deprives our army of the satisfac- 
tion to which they are justly entitled.* 

The preliminaries having been acceded to by the 
two commanders. Lieutenant Colonel Wilkinson, 
Deputy Adjutant General, and Brigadier General 
Whipple, of the militia, on our part, and Lieutenant 
Colonel Sutherland, Major Kingston, and Captain 
Craig, on the part of the British, were appointed to 
stipulate and arrange the particular articles of capitu- 
lation. So very tenacious were the British of the 
trivial points of military honor, that, after they had 
signed the '* treaty of capitulation','^ as it was term- 
ed, they required that the term should be altered to 
*^ treaty of convention,''^ in which they were indulg- 
ed by General Gates, as being of little consequence 
on our part. During the pending negotiation, several 
hundred of the New York militia, whose term of 
service had expired, marched off the ground with- 
out permission from General Gates ; and the same 
night Burgoyne received intelligence by a spy, 
that Sir H. Clinton, having taken Fort Montgom- 
ery, would attempt to force his way to Albany. 
Though the articles of convention were fully adjust- 
ed, signed and exchanged, by those appointed for 
the purpose, and the hour stipulated by the parties 
for Burgoyne to aflix his siguatui'e, he addressed a 
note to General Gates purporting that he should re- 
cede from the treaty, on the ground that a part of 
the American force had been detached from the 
army during the negotiation ; and with a bold effron- 

* For the first interview between the royal general olEcers and thek 
conqueror, see Life of General Gat^s, in the Appendii. 

17 



1130 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

tery, required, that he might be permitted to send 
tivo officers to our camp to ascertain the fact. This 
dishonorable conduct, as may be supposed, raised the 
ire of our spirited commander, who sent Lieutenant 
Colonel Wilkinson to have a personal interview with 
Burgoyne, and to insist that hostilities should recom- 
mence, if the treaty was not immediately ratified. 
This, after much hesitation on the part of Burgoyne 
and his officers, produced the desired effect. His 
contemplated alternative was, to abandon his carp]*, 
artillery, heavy baggage and sick, and by a despeviile 
effort in the night, to force his way through our 
army, and make a rapid march to Albany with the 
hope of meeting General Sir H. Clinton. It is con- 
sidered singular that it was not demanded of the 
captured general to deliver up his military chest, 
colors, and soldiers' accoutrements ; but the success of 
General Clinton in reducing Fort Montgomery, and 
the serious apprehensions of General Gates that he 
would force his way to Albany, and the desire of the 
latter to spare the effusion of blood, are the substan- 
tial causes which procured for Burgoyne the favora' 
ble terms which he enjoys. It is satisfactory to learn 
that the British officers, in general, candidly acknow- 
ledged, that the American troops conducted on all 
occasions with the greatest bravery, and when, after 
their surrender, they visited and took a view of our 
camp, expressed much surprize at the military order 
and economy which were conspicuous in every part, 
and said that they never liad seen, even in Germany, 
an encampment more systematically and properly 
disposed. The trophies which we have achieved 
by this great event, are, officers and soldiers, five 
thousand seven hundred and ninety one. It has been 
estimated that Burgoyne's army, at the commence- 
ment of the campaign, was full ten thousand strong ; 
the deficiency now, must be accounted for by the kill- 
ed, loss by sickness, prisoners and deserters. Among 
the officers taken, are six members of the British Par- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 131 

Jiament. The train of brass artillery and other ord- 
nance, are immensely valuable, consisting of forty two 
pieces of brass ordnance, besides seven thousand mus- 
kets, with six tliousand dozen cartridges and an ample 
supj)ly of shot, shells, &c. To these are added, clothing 
for seven thousand men, a large number of tents and 
other military stores. Thus we witness the incalcu- 
lable reverse of fortune, and the extraordinary vicis- 
situdes of military events, as ordained by Divine 
Providence. The same haughty commander, who 
but a few weeks since, flushed with victory, was ha- 
rassing our retreating army in every direction ; that 
proud, assuming foe, who so often threatened to lay 
waste our cities and country, and who said in his 
orders, early in the campaign, "^^ this army must not 
retreat,'*' is now reduced to the mortifying alternative 
of suing for terms of surrender, to those powers 
whom he affected to treat with sovereign contempt. 
It must be doubly mortifying to contrast his present 
humble condition with that, when he published his 
pompous and bombastic proclamation, calling on 
towns and people to send delegates to supplicate his 
favor and clemency, and threatening vengeance 
against all those who should dare to disobey his com- 
mands, or oppose his authority. There are perhaps 
few examples in the annals of warfare, of a whole 
army under a celebrated general, and officers of the 
first character ; gentlemen of noble families, and mili- 
tary merit, being reduced to the mortifying condition 
of captives, led through a country which it was de- 
signed should have been devoted to their all con- 
quering power. The intelligence of these events 
to the British government, must affect them like the 
shock of a thunderbolt, and demonstrate to them the 
invincibility of a people united in the noble cause 
of liberty and the rights of man. This event will 
make one of the most brilliant pages of American 
history. General Gates has crowned himself with 
unfading laurels, and immortal honor;, he has van- 



132 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

quished a commander of established military fame, 
at the head of a veteran army. He has displayed 
the qualities of a general, the magnanimity of a phi- 
lanthropist, and the amiable and polite civilities of a 
gentleman. No less dignified and brave as a com- 
mander, than beneficent and generous as a conqueror. 
He is remarkable for his humanity to prisoners and 
a desire to mitigate the sufferings of the unfortunate. 
Among the objects in distress, which claimed his 
attention, was the lady of Major Ackland, com- 
mander of the British grenadiers, who was danger- 
ously wounded and captured during the battle of the 
7th of October. This heroic lady, from conjugal 
affection, was induced to follow the fortune of her 
husband during the whole campaign through the 
wilderness. Having been habituated to a mode of 
life with which those of rank and fortune are peculiarly 
favored, her delicate frame is ill calculated to sus- 
tain the indescribable privations and hardships, to 
which she was unavoidably exposed during an active 
campaign. Her vehicle of conveyance was, part of 
the time, a small two wheeled tumbril, drawn by a 
single horse, over roads almost impassable. Soon 
after she received the affecting intelligence, that her 
liusband had received a wound, and was a prisoner, 
she manifested the greatest tenderness and affection, 
and resolved to visit him in our camp to console and 
alleviate his sufferings. With this view she obtained 
a letter from Burgoyne, to General Gates, and not 
permitting the prospect of being out in the night, 
and drenched in rain, to repress her zeal, she pro- 
ceeded in an open boat, with a few attendants, and 
arrived at our out post in the night, in a suffering 
condition, from extreme wet and cold. The sentinel, 
faithful to his duty, detained them in the boat till 
Major Dearborn, the ofHcer of the guard, could arrive. 
He permitted them to land, and afforded lady Ack- 
land the best accommodations in his power, and 
treated her with a cup of tea in his guard house. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 133 

When General Gates, in the morning, was informed 
of the unhappy situation of lady Ackland, he im- 
fliediately ordered her a safe escort, and treated her 
himself with the tenderness of a parent, directing 
that every attention should be bestowed which her 
rank, her sex, character and circumstances required. 
She was soon conveyed to Albany, where she found 
her wounded husband. For further particulars re- 
specting this highly respectable and interesting lady, 
the reader is referred to the Appendix. 

In the military transactions in the northern de- 
partment, the labors and efforts of Major General 
Schuyler are acknowledged to be eminently impor- 
tant and useful. He is undoubtedly entitled to the 
character of an intelligent and meritorious officer. 
As a private gentleman he is dignified, but courteous, 
his manners are urbane, and his hospitality is un- 
bounded. He is justly considered as one of our 
most distinguished champions of liberty, and his 
noble mind has soared above despair, even at a pe- 
riod when he experienced injustice from the public, 
and when darkness and gloom overspread our land. 
Though he was not invested with any active com- 
mand, he was present at the surrender of the British 
army, which was near the spot where his elegant 
country seat had been demolished. Here he sought 
an interview with the Baroness Reidesel, who with 
her three children, for she was entrusted with this 
charge during the campaign, he politely accommo- 
dated in his own tent, and invited her to become his 
guest at his residence at Albany. On the day of the 
surrender, all the captive generals dined with Gen- 
eral Gates, and received from him the kindest civili- 
ties and attention. 

We have now brought to a glorious termination a 
military campaign, pregnant with remarkable vicis- 
situdes and momentous events ; the result of which, 
seemed for a time to poise on a pinnacle of sanguine 
hopes and expectations on the one side, and the most 



134 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

appalling apprehensions on the other. All gratitude 
and praise be ascribed to Him, who alone limits tiie 
extent of human power, and decrees the destiny of 
nations. 

21st. — The captive Generals Burgoyne, Phillips, 
Reidesel, &c. with a number of ladies of high rank, 
arrived last evening at the hospitable mansion of 
General Schuyler in this city. His seat is about one 
mile out of town, and I have frequently made it a 
walk for amusement. It is a house of two stories, 
in elegant ancient style, and fancifully ornamented. 
I am informed that it has for several generations been 
celebrated for the great respectability, and generous 
hospitality of its inhabitants. During the last French 
war, it was almost a general resort for British officers, 
as well as strangers and travellers of note. 

22d. — The magnanimous General Schuyler, with 
his lady and daughters, have given their unfortunate 
guests a friendly and polite reception, characteristic 
of this noble spirited ftunily. Notwithstanding Gen- 
eral Burgoyne destroyed their beautiful villa at 
Saratoga, tiiey appear disposed to console them in 
their misfortune by all the civilities and attention in 
their power. 

23d. — General Burgoyne gratefully acknowledged 
the generous treatment received from General Schuy- 
ler, and observed to him, " You show me great kind- 
ness. Sir, though I have done you much injury." 
To which he magnanimously replied, " That was the 
fate of war, let us say no more about it." 

24th. — This hospital is now crowded with officers 
and soldiers from the field of battle ; those belonging 
to the British and Hessian troops, are accommodated 
in the same hospital with our own men, and receive 
equal care and attention. The foreigners are under 
the care and management of their own surgeons. I 
have been present at some of their capital operations, 
and remarked, that the English surgeons perform 
with skill and dexterity, but the Germans, with a few 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 135 

exee])tions, do no credit to their profession ; some 
of tliem are the most uncouth and cluinsy operators 1 
ever witnessed, and appear to be destitute of all sym- 
patliy and tenderness towards the suffering patient. 
Not less than one thousand wounded and sick are now 
in this city ; the Dutch church, and several private 
houses are occupied as hospitals. We have about 
tliirty surgeons, and mates ; and all are constantly 
employed. I am obliged to devote the whole of my 
time from eight o'clock in the morning to a late hour 
in the evening, to the care of our patients. Here is 
a fine field for professional improvement. Ampu- 
tating limbs, trepanning fractured skulls, and dressing 
the most formidable wounds, have familiarized my 
mind to scenes of woe. A military hospital is pecu- 
liarly calculated to afford examples for profitable 
contemplation, and to interest our sympathy and 
commiseration. If I turn from beholding mutilat- 
ed bodies, mangled limbs and bleeding, incurable 
wounds, a spectacle no less revolting, is presented, of 
miserable objects, languishing u!ider afflicting diseases 
of every description — here, are those in a mournful 
state of despair, exhibiting the awful harbingers of 
approaching dissolution — there, are those with ema- 
ciated bodies and ghastly visage, who begin to triumph 
over grim disease and just lift their feeble heads from 
the pillow of sorrow. No parent, wife or sister, to 
wipe the tear of anguish from their eyes, or to soothe 
the pillow of death, they look up to the physician as 
their only earthly friend and comforter, and trust the 
hands of a stranger to perform the last mournful 
duties. Frequently have I remarked their confi- 
dence in my friendship, as though I was endeared to 
them by brotherly ties. Viewing these unfortunate 
men as the faithful defenders of the liberties of our 
country, far separated from their dearest friends, who 
would be so lost to the duties of humanity, patriotism, 
and benevolence, as not to minister to their comfort, 
and pour into tlieir wounds the healing balm of con- 



136 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

solation ? It is my lot to have twenty wounded men 
committed to my care, by Dr. Potts,, our Surgeon 
General ; one of whom, a young man, received a 
musket ball through his cheeks, cutting its way 
through the teeth on each side, and the substance of 
the tongue ; his sufferings have been great, but he 
now begins to articulate tolerably well. Another had 
the whole side of his face torn off by a cannon ball, 
laying his mouth and throat open to view. A brave 
soldier received a musket ball in his forehead, ob- 
serving that it did not penetrate deep, it was imagined 
that the ball rebounded and fell out ; but after several 
days, on examination, I detected the ball laying flat 
on the bone, and spread under the skin, which I re- 
moved. No one can doubt but he received his 
wound while facing the enemy, and it is fortunate for 
the brave fellow, that his skull proved too thick for 
the ball to penetrate. But in another instance, a 
soldier's wound was not so honorable ; he received a 
ball in the bottom of his foot, which could not have 
happened unless when in the act of running from the 
enemy. This poor fellow is held in derision by his 
comrades, and is made a subject of their wit for hav- 
ing the mark of a coward. Among the most remark- 
able occurrences which came under my observation, 
the following is deserving of particular notice. Cap- 
tain Greg, of one of the New York regiments, while 
stationed at Fort Stanwix, on the Mohawk river, 
went with two of his soldiers into the woods a short 
distance to shoot pigeons ; a party of Indians started 
suddenly from concealment in the bushes, shot them 
all down, tomahawked and scalped them, and left 
them for dead. The captain, after some time re- 
vived, and perceiving his men were killed, himself 
robbed of his scalp, and suffering extreme agony from 
his numerous wounds, made an effort to move and 
lay his bleeding head on one of the dead bodies, ex- 
pecting soon to expire. A faithful dog who accom- 
panied him, manifested great agitation, and in the 



MILITARY JOUKNAL, 1777. 137 

tenderest manner licked his wounds, which afforded 
him great relief from exquisite distress. He then 
directed the dog, as if a human being, to go in search 
of some person to come to his relief. The animal, 
with every appearance of anxiety, ran about a mile, 
w hen he met with two men fishing in the river, and. 
endeavored in the most moving manner, by whining 
ajid piteous cries, to prevail on them to follow him 
into the woods ; struck with tiie singular conduct of 
the dog, they were induced to follow him part of the 
way, but fearing some decoy, or danger, they were 
about to return, when the dog, fixing his eyes on 
them, renewed his entreaties by his cries, and taking 
hold of their clothes with his teeth, prevailed on 
them to follow him to the fittal spot. Such was the 
remarkable fidelity and sagacity of this animal. 
Captain Greg was immediately carried to the fort, 
where his wounds were dressed ; he was afterwards 
removed to our hospital, and put under my care. He 
was a most frightful spectacle, the whole of his scalp 
was removed ; in two places on the fore part of his 
head, the tomahawk had penetrated through the 
skull ; there was a wound on his back with the same 
instrument, besides a v^ound in his side and another 
through his arm by a musket ball. This unfortunate 
man, after suffering extremely for a long time, finally 
recovered, and appeared to be well satisfied in hav- 
ing his scalp restored to him, though uncovered with 
hair. The Indian mode of scalping their victims is 
this — with a knife they make a circular cut from the 
forehead, quite round, just above the ears, then 
taking hold of the skin with their teeth, they tear 
off the whole hairy scalp in an instant, with won- 
derful dexterity. This they carefully dry and pre- 
serve as a trophy, showing the number of their vic- 
tims, and they have a method of painting on the dried 
scalp, different figures, and colors, to designate the 
sex and age of the victim, and also the manner and 
circumstances of the murder. 
18 



138 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

JVovember 10th. — I witnessed yesterday, the sin- 
gular ceremony performed at a treaty with the Six 
Nations of Indians. General Schuyler, and two other 
gentlemen, were the commissioners on our part. Of 
the Indians, about two hundred men and women at- 
tended. In the morning, I walked into the woods 
near this city, and was amused to see them occupied 
in dressing and ornamenting themselves for the cere- 
mony ; painting their faces, adjusting their hair, put- 
ting jewels into their ears, noses, &c. The face was 
painted of various colors ; in general red, spotted 
with black and white in a fanciful manner. The men 
had their hair cut close to the skin, except a lock on 
the top of the head. The women wore long hair, 
ornamented with beads and other trinkets. The 
bodies and limbs of both sexes were decently covered 
in the Indian style, and some displayed large silver 
rings round the arm, and a profusion of party-colored 
beads, fancifully arranged about the legs and feet. 
Several of the young men, and girls, were furnished 
with little bells about their feet, to make a jingling 
when dancing. About eleven o'clock, the ceremony 
commenced on the common ; the Indians arranged 
themselves, by sitting on the ground in a circle, the 
men on one side, the women on the other, leaving a 
vacancy for our commissioners, who were seated in 
chairs. In the centre of the circle was a fire, over 
which a large pot containing meat broth, or soup, 
was placed. The speakers were three elderly chiefs : 
their speeches or talks were short, and at the close 
of each, the speaker delivered to the commissioners 
a belt or string of wampum, curiously worked with 
porcupine quills, and handsomely painted, as a pledge 
of sincerity. The interpreter explained in English. 
In the intervals between the talks, the whole of the 
Indians and squaws threw their bodies into odd mo- 
tions, and at the same time a noise came from tlieir 
throats very similar to the grunting of swine, which 
I suppose, was a token of approbation. They next 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 139 

commenced dancing, by uniting hands two or three 
at a time, and jumping merrily round the pot over 
the fire, animated by the music of a small drum 
resembling a keg covered with a skin, and the jingling 
of the bells attached to their legs and feet. The in- 
terpreter, by desire of the chiefs, requested that our 
commissioners would not be offended at the liberty 
which they were about to take. One of the chiefs 
then took the commissioners, one at a time, by the 
hand, and danced them round the circle, then rub- 
bing his hand abou,t the grease and blacking of the 
pot, he blackened the face, fii-st of General Schuyler, 
and then the other gentlemen, which excited much 
laughter. Whether this was a trick to excite a 
laugh, or a part of their national ceremony, I was 
unable to ascertain. The Indians continued dancing 
round the fire, drinking the soup from the pot and 
regaling themselves with rum all night, and many of 
them were found drunk in the morning. 

My professional duties have been so pressing as 
to preclude the possibility of journalizing to the 
full extent of my wishes. The numerous important 
events which have occurred to our main army under 
General Washington, in the Jerseys, and Pennsylva- 
nia, have been from time to time announced in the 
public papers, and in our general orders. A very 
brief retrospect of the most interesting occurrences 
during the campaign in that quarter must suffice me. 

General Washington, having ascertained that it 
was the gi'eat object of Sir William Howe to possess 
himself of the city of Philadelphia, put in requisition 
every effort in his power to counteract his measures 
for this purpose. His force during the whole cam- 
paign was considerably inferior to that of the enemy. 
Battles and skirmishing of more or less importance 
were frequent, but not decisive, though attended by 
no inconsiderable loss of human lives. On the 11th of 
September the two armies approached each other in 
the order of battle, and a general action took place 



140 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

at Brandywine, in which the officers and soldiers of 
both armies displayed a spirit of intrepidity and 
heroism, scarcely ever exceeded. The British claim 
the victory ; but it was only a partial one, and besides 
a prodigious sacrifice of lives, they failed in their 
main object, that of forcing their way to Philadel- 
phia. It is stated, that from particular circumstances, 
little more than one half of General Washington's 
force was opposed to nearly the whole strength of 
the enemy. Our loss is mentioned in round numbers 
at one thousand. The Mai'quis de la Fayette, and 
General Woodford were slightly wounded. The 
loss of the royalists, according to accounts published, 
greatly exceeds that of the Americans. 

On the 16th of September, Monsieur deCondry, an 
officer of rank and distinction in the French service, 
and acting as a volunteer in our army, having occasion 
to cross the Schuylkill ferry, rode a high spirited 
horse into the boat, which, taking fright, leaped into 
the river, and the rider was unfortunately drowned. 
Congress resolved that the corpse of Monsieur de 
Condry be interred at the expense of the United 
States, and with the honors of war. 

Sir William Howe, on the 26th of September, after 
much manoeuvring and skirmishing, accomplished his 
great enterprize, and made his triumphal entry into 
the city of Philadelphia, where he met with a cor- 
dial welcome from the Quakers, and a considerable 
number of the inhabitants, who have long been known 
to be in favor of the royalists. 

On the 4th of October, General Washington 
planned an attack on the main body of the enemy 
stationed at Grermantown, near Philadelphia. The 
enterprize was planned with such judgment and 
skill, as to affisrd promise of a complete victory. 
The execution of it was conducted by his Excellency, 
who attacks like a hero and retreats like a general, 
and whose presence infuses into the ranks the spirit 
of heroism and enthusiasm. Were it not for some 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 14^ 

unfortunate incidents, and the faulty conduct of a 
few individuals, his most sanguine hopes would have 
been realized. The enemy was actually taken by 
surprize, and in one point a party was routed and 
one hundred and ten made prisoners, but were after- 
wards retaken. Almost the whole iforce of both 
armies was involved in the tremendous contest, in 
which British and American bravery were equally 
conspicuous, and sealed the fate of many valiant offi- 
cers and men. ^' The morning," says General Wash- 
ington's letter to Congress, " was extremely foggy, 
which prevented our improving the advantage we 
had gained, so well as we otherwise should have 
done. This circumstance, by concealing from us the 
true situation of the enemy, obliged us to act with 
more caution and less expedition than we could have 
wished, and gave the enemy time to recover from 
the effects of our first impression ; and what was 
still more unfortunate, it served to keep our different 
parties in ignorance of each other's movements, and 
hindered their acting in concert ; it also occasioned 
them to mistake one another for the enemy, which I 
believe more than any thing else, contributed to the 
misfortunes which ensued. In the midst of the most 
promising appearances, when every thing gave the 
most flattering hopes of victory, the troops began sud- 
denly to retreat, and entirely left the field in spite of 
every effort that could be made to rally them. On 
the whole, it may be said, this day was rather unfor- 
tunate than injurious. The principal impediment to 
our success was, that at the moment of victory, the 
enemy threw a party into Mr. Chew's stone house, 
who were in a situation not easily to be forced ; and 
had it in their power, from the windows, to give us 
considerable annoyance, and in a measure to obstruct 
our advance." 

A general officer wlio was engaged in the battle, 
says, " Fortune smiled on our arms for hours. The 
enemy were broken, dispersed and flying on all 



142 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

quarters : we were in possession of their whole en- 
campment, together with their artillery park, &c. 
But confusion at last ensued, and we ran away from 
the arms of victory ready to receive us." It is not 
to be concealed however, that our army suiTered a 
very considerable loss, the whole number is not ascer- 
tained. General Nash, of North Carolina, received 
a mortal wound, and General Sullivan's two aids were 
killed. On the side of the royalists. General Agnew, 
General de Heister's son, and several other officers 
were killed. General Kniphausen was wounded, 
and a great number of rank and file were wounded 
and slain. 

The Americans have erected several forts and 
redoubts on the banks of the Delaware river, and on 
Mud Island, to guard against the passage of the 
British fleet up this river to Philadelphia. In one 
of these forts at Red Bank, Colonel Greene, of Rhode 
Island, was posted with about four hundred men. 
General Howe, perceiving the great importance of 
reducing these works, detached Count Donop, an 
officer held in high estimation in the royal army, 
with twelve or fifteen hundred Hessian troops, well 
supplied with artillery, to take possession of it. 
Having arrived near the redoubts, he summoned the 
commander to surrender, to which he resolutely re- 
plied, he would defend the place to the last extre- 
mity. This fort being originally constructed on a 
large scale, it was found necessary to run a line across 
the middle, and divide it into two, so that the ex- 
ternal part was left without defence. The Hessian 
commander ordered his troops to advance under 
cover of the smoke of his cannon and storm the re- 
doubt ; they soon gained the unoccupied part with 
loud huzzas on their supposed victory ; but on ap- 
proaching the new lines within, where our troops 
were stationed, the brave garrison poured on them 
such hot and well directed fire for about forty 
minutes, that they were completely overpowered, and 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 143 

fled in every direction. Colonel Donop, their com- 
mander, was mortally wounded and taken, and more 
than one hundred were killed on the spot, and a 
greater number wounded and prisonei-s. The enemy 
retreated with great precipitation, leaving n>any of 
their wounded on the road, and returned to Phila- 
delphia with the loss of one half their party. Colonel 
Greene, and his brave troops, acquired great honor 
for their gallant defence of the fort, which is a key 
to other posts on the river. Congress have rewarded 
the Colonel, with an elegant sword. The British 
army found it difficult to procure the necessary sup- 
plies in Philadelphia, and the continental galleys and 
strong chevaux de frize in the Delaware, rendered 
a passage of their ships up to the city, almost impos- 
sible. Admiral Lord Howe, determined to attempt 
the removal of these formidable obstructions, and he 
ordered six of his ships to engage in this service. 
They were so unmercifully handled by our galleys, 
and from Fort Mifllin, at Mud Island, that two of 
them, one of sixty four guns, rini aground and were 
set on fire by the crews who deserted them, and soon 
after they blew up. 

December. — Fort Mifflin, on Mud Island, has been 
evacuated by the continental garrison, after having 
been bravely defended against the prodigious force of 
the enemy's shipping. Our troops secured all their 
stores, destroyed the block houses, and demolished the 
bank, to let in the water, by which the Island is entirely 
inundated. The fort at Red Bank is also abandoned, 
and the continental fleet has been burnt, to prevent 
its falling into the hands of the enemy. The British 
are now in full possession of the city of Philadelphia, 
and their fleet has obtained access to it by way of 
the Delaware river. The continental army, since 
the close of the campaign, has retired for winter 
quarters to a place called Valley Forge^ about 20 
miles from Philadelphia. Here they are subjected 
to the fatigue and labor of clearing the woods and 



144 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1777. 

constructing log huts for their accommodation during 
the winter. 

An occurrence of a very singular conplexion, has 
lately been published in a Pennsylvania newspaper, 
which occasions much indignant speculation. The 
Reverend Jacob Duche, a popular Episcopal minister 
in Philadelphia, was the first chaplain appointed by 
Congress. He performed his official duties to gen- 
eral acceptance, frequently and fervently imploring 
heaven to succeed the American cause. Whether 
from alarm at the success of the royalists, or from 
any change in his sentiments respecting the justice 
of our cause, is uncertain, but after having officiated 
about three months, he gave in his resignation. He 
left Philadelphia, and " took shelter under the arm 
of that power which from the sacred pulpit he had 
exhorted his hearers to oppose.'' But it is no less 
extraordinary, that this apostate addressed a letter to 
his Excellency General Washington, with whom he 
was on terms of friendship, in which, to use the 
author's own words, " he has spoken freely of Con- 
gressy and of the armyP He enjoins it on his Ex- 
cellency to abandon the American cause, and resign 
his command of the army ; or at the head of it, to 
force Congress immediately to desist from hostilities 
and to rescind their declaration of Independence. If 
this is not done, he says, " You have an infallible 
resource still left, negotiate for America at the head 
of your armyy He represents the Congress in the 
most despicable point of view, as consisting of weak, 
obscure persons, not fit associates for his Excellency, 
and the very dregs of the first Congress. The New 
England delegates he treats with the greatest indeli- 
cacy. The officers and men wiiich compose our 
army, he describes as destitute of principle and 
courage ; undisciplined, taken from the lowest of the 
people, unfit for a seat at his Excellency's table, &c. 
&c. Thus has this vile calumniator disgraced his 
profession, and involved his own character in that 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 145 

i.^nominy which he designed for his superiors. His 
Excellency in noticing this transaction in a letter of 
October the 16th, observes, ^^ To Mr. Duche's ridi- 
culous, illiberal performance, I made a very short 
reply, by desiring the bearer Mrs. Ferguson, if she 
should hereafter, by any accident meet with Mr. 
Duche, to tell him I should have returned his letter 
unopened if I had had any idea of its contents.* 

20th. — The wounded soldiers committed to ray 
care in October last, have all recovered, and as a 
compliment for my assiduity, and attention to my 
patients, I have rqceived from Dr. Potts, our Sur- 
geon General, a generous and handsome present. 
The duties of our hospital being now greatly dimin- 
ished, I have obtained a furlough for forty days, and 
shall to-morrow commence my journey to visit my 
friends in New England. 

February 4th, 1778. — Having performed a jour- 
ney on horseback to Boston and Barnstable, in 

* The following is the form of prayer made use of by the Reverend 
Mr. Duche in the Congress after Independence was declared. 

O Lord I our heavenly Father, high and mighty, King of kings, and 
Lord of lords, who dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers on 
earth, and reiinest with power supreme and uncontroled over all 
kingdoms, empires and governments. Look down in mercy, wc 
beseech thee, on these our American State?, who have fled to thee 
from the rod of the oppressor, and thrown themselves on thy gracious 
protection, desiring to be henceforth dependent only on thee ; to thee 
have they appealed for the righteousness of their cause ; to thee do 
they now look up for that countenance and support, which thou alone 
canst give ; take them, therefore, heavenly Father, under thy .nurturing 
care ; give them wisdom in courtcil, and valor in the field ; defeat the 
malicious designs of our cruel adversaries; convince them o( the un- 
righteousness of their cause, and if they still persist in their sanguinary 
purposes,©! let the voice of thine own unerring justice, sounding iii 
their hearts, constrain them to drop the weapons of war from their 
unnerved hands in the day of battle. Be thou present, O God of 
wisdom, and direct the conncils of this honorable assembly ; enable 
them to settle things on the best and surest foundation, that the scene 
of blood may be speedily closed, tliat order, harmony and peace may 
be effectually restored, and truth and justice, religion and piety, pre- 
vail and flourish amongst thy people ; preserve the health of their bodies 
and the vigor of their miads ; shower down on thtm^ and the millions 
they here represent, such temporal blessings, as thou seest expedient 
for them in this world, and crown tiiem with everlasting glory in the 
world to come. All this we ask in the name, and through the merits 
of JesDs Christ thy Son and our Saviour. Amen. 

19 



146 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

MassachusettSj I returned here two days before the 
expiration of my furlough, and resumed my duties 
in the hospital. Several gentlemen belonging to the 
hospital being desirous of improving in the accom- 
plishment of dancing, Mr. John Trotter has agreed 
to open a special school for our accommodation, and 
we are to attend every afternoon. Master Trotter 
has for many years been in the practice of teaching 
the art in the city of New York, and has acquired 
great fame as a man of knowledge and experience 
in his profession. He is about fifty eight years of age, 
a small, genteel, well proportioned man, every limb 
and joint proclaiming that he is formed for his pro- 
fession, and the ease and grace with which he moves 
on the floor, evince, that he is an accom]>lished 
master, and that he has lost none of his agility by 
age. Under the tuition of such a master, we flatter 
ourselves that in due time, if we improve our ad- 
vantages, we shall be able to figure in a ball room. 

10th. — I have now obtained a particular descrip- 
tion of the American Torpedo, and other ingenious 
submarine machinery, invented by Mr. David Bush- 
nell, for the purpose of destroying shipping while at 
anchor, some account of which may be found in this 
Journal, page 75. The external appearance of the tor- 
pedo, bears some resemblance to two upper tortoise 
shells, of equal size, placed in contact, leaving at that 
part, which represents the head of the animal, a 
flue, or opening sufficiently capacious to contain the 
operator, and air to support him thirty minutes. At 
the bottom, opposite to the entrance, is placed a 
quantity of lead for ballast. The operator sits up- 
right, and holds an oar for rowing forward or back- 
ward, and is furnished with a rudder for steering. 
An aperture at the bottom, with its valve, admits 
water for tlie purpose of descending, and two brass 
forcing pumps serve to eject the water within, when 
necessary for ascending. The vessel is made com- 
pletely water tight, furnished with glass windows for 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 147 

the admission of light, with ventiIatoi*s and air pipes, 
and is so ballasted, with lead fixed at the bottom, as 
to render it solid, and obviate all danger of over- 
setting. Behind the submarine vessel, is a place 
above the rudder for carrying a large powder maga- 
zine ; this is made of two pieces of oak timber, large 
enough when hollowed out, to contain one hundred 
and fifty pounds of powder, with the apparatus used 
for firing it, and is secured in its place, by a screw- 
turned by the operator. It is lighter than water, 
that it may rise against the object to which it is in- 
tended to be fastened. Within the magazine, is an 
apparatus constructed to run any proposed length of 
time under twelve hours ; when it has run out its 
time, it unpinions a strong lock, resembling a gun 
lock, which gives fire to the powder. This appa- 
ratus is so pinioned, that it cannot possibly move, till, 
by casting off the magazine from the vessel, it is set 
in motion. The skilful operator can swim so low on 
the surface of the water, as to approach very near a 
ship in the night, without fear of being discovered ; 
and may if he choose, approach the stern or stem, 
above water, with very little danger. He can sink 
very quickly, keep at any necessary depth, and row 
a great distance in any direction he desires without 
coming to the surface. When he rises to the surface, 
he can soon obtain a fresh supply of air, and if neces- 
sary, he may then descend again and pursue his 
course, Mr. Bushnell found, that it required many 
trials and considerable instruction to make a man of 
common ingenuity a skilful operator. The first per- 
son, his brother, whom he employed, was very inge- 
nious and made himself master of the business, but 
was taken sick before he had an opportunity to make 
use of his skill. Having procured a substitute, and 
given him such instruction as time would allow, he 
was directed to try an experiment on the Eagle, a 
sixty four gun ship, on board of which Lord Howe 
commanded, lying in the harbor of New York. He 



148 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

went under the ship, and attempted to fix the wooden 
screw into her bottom, but struck, as he supposes, a 
bar of iron which passes from the rudder hinge, and 
is spiked under the ship's quarter. Had he moved a 
few inches, which he might have done without row- 
ing, there is no doubt he would have found wood where 
he might have fixed the screw ; or if the ship had been 
sheathed with copper, he might easily have pierced 
it. But not being well skilled in the management of 
the vessel, in attempting to move to another place, he 
lost the ship. After seeking her in vain, for some 
time, he rowed some distance, and rose to the surface 
of the water, but found day light had advanced so 
far, that he durst not renew the attempt. He says, 
that he could easily have fastened the magazine under 
the stern of the ship, above water, as he rowed up 
to the stern and touched it before he descended. 
Had he fastened it there, the explosion of one hun- 
dred and fifty pounds of powder, the quantity con- 
tained in the magazine, must have been fatal to the 
ship. In his return from the ship to New York, he 
passed near Governor's Island, and thought he was 
discovered by the enemy on the island. Being in 
haste, to avoid the danger he feared, he cast off the 
magazine, as he imagined it retarded him in the- 
swell, which was very considerable. After the maga- 
zine had been cast off one hour, the time the internal 
apparatus was set to run, it blew up with great vio- 
lence, throwing a vast column of water to an amazing 
height in the air, and leaving the enemy to conjecture 
whether the stupendous noise was produced by a 
bomb, a meteor, a water spout, or an earthquake. 
Some other attempts were made in Hudson's river, 
in one of which the operator in going towards the 
ship, lost sight of her and went a great distance be- 
yond her, and the tide ran so strong as to baffle all 
his efforts. Mr. Bushnell being in ill health, and 
destitute of resources, was obliged to abandon his 
pursuit at that time, and wait for a more favorable 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 149 

opportunity, which never occurred. In the year 
1777, Mr. Bushnell made an attempt from a whale 
boat, against the Cerberus frigate lying at anchor, by 
drawing a machine against her side, by means of a 
line. The machine was loaded with powder, to be 
exploded by a gun lock, which was to be unpinioned 
by an apparatus to be turned by being brought along 
side of the frigate. This machine fell in with a 
schooner at anchor astern of the frigate, and conceal- 
ed from his sight. By some means it became fixed, 
and exploding, demolished the schooner. Commo- 
dore Simmons, being on board the Cerberus, address- 
ed an official letter to Sir Peter Parker, describing 
this singular disaster. Being at anchor to the west- 
ward of New London, with a schooner which he had 
taken, discovered about eleven o'clock in the evening, 
a line towing astern from the bows. He believed 
that some person had veered away by it and imme- 
diately began to haul in. A sailor, belonging to the 
schooner, taking it for a fishing line, laid hold of it and 
drew in about fifteen fathoms. It was buoyed up by 
small pieces of wood tied to it at stated distances. At 
the end of the rope a machine was fastened too heavy 
for one man to pull up, for it exceeded one hundred 
pounds in weight. The other people of the schooner 
coming to his assistance, they drew it on deck. 
While the men were examining the machine, about 
five minutes from the time the wheel had been put 
in motion, it exploded, blew the vessel into pieces^ 
and set her on fire. Three men were killed, and the 
fourth blown into the water, much injured. On ex- 
amining round the ship after this accident, the other 
part of the line was discovered, buoyed up in the 
same manner. This the commodore ordered to be 
instantly cut away, for fear of hauling up another 
of the infernals, as he termed it. These machines 
were constructed with wheels, furnished with irons 
sharpened at the end, and projecting about an inch, 



150 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

in order to strike the sides of the vessel when hauling 
them up, thereby setting the wheels in motion, which 
in the space of five minutes causes the explosion. 
Had the whole apparatus been brought to operate on 
a ship at the same time, it must have occasioned pro- 
digious destruction. Mr. Bushnell contrived another 
ingenious expedient to effect his favorite object. He 
fixed a large number of kegs under water, charged 
with powder, to explode on coming in contact with 
any thing while floating along with the tide. He 
set his squadron of kegs afloat in the Delaware, above 
the English shipping, in December, 1777. The kegs 
were in the night set adrift, to fall with the ebb, on 
the shipping ; but the proper distance could not be 
well ascertained, and they were set adrift at too 
great a distance from the vessels, by which means 
they were obstructed and dispersed by the ice. 
They approached, however, in the day time, and 
one of them blew up a boat, and others exploded, 
which occasioned among the British seamen the 
greatest alarm and consternation. They actually 
manned the wharves and shipping at Philadelphia, 
and discharged their small arms and cannon, at every 
thing they could see floating in the river, during the 
ebb tide. This incident has received the name of 
the battle of the kegs* and furnished a subject for 
an excellent and humorous song, by the Honorable 
Francis Hopkinson, which is inserted in the Appen- 
dix. 

April. — Major General Lee, captured by the ene^ 
my in December, 1776, has been exchanged for 
Major General Prescott, who was taken at Rhode 
Island, by Colonel Barton. 

The glorious intelligence being announced, that 
Congress have negotiated a treaty of alliance with 
the Court of France, General Washington has issued 
the following orders for the army to celebrate the 
momentous event* 



SIILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 151 

Head Quarters, Canij), > 
Valley Forge, May 5th, 1778. ^ 

It having pleased the Ahuighty Ruler of the Uni- 
verse propitiously to defend the cause of the United 
American States, and finally, by raising us up a pow- 
erful friend among the Princes of the Earth, to estab- 
lish our liberty and independence on a lasting foun- 
dation : it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully 
acknowledging the Divine goodness, and celebrating 
the important event which we owe to His benign 
interposition. 

The several brigades are to be assembled for this 
purpose at nine o'clock to-morrow morning, when 
their Chaplains will communicate the intelligence 
contained in the Postcript to the Pennsylvania Ga- 
zette of the second instant, and offer up a Thanks- 
giving, and deliver a discourse suitable to the occa- 
sion. 

At half past ten o'clock a cannon will be fired, 
which is to be a signal for the men to be under arms. 
The Brigade Inspectors will then inspect their dress 
and arms, form the battalions according to the instruc- 
tions given them, and announce to the cammanding 
ofiicers of brigades that the battalions are formed. 
The Brigadiers and Commandants will then appoint 
the field officers to command the battalions ; after 
which, each battalion will be ordered to load and 
ground their arms. — At half past eleven, another 
cannon will be fired as a signal for the march ; oq 
which the several brigades will begin their march by 
wheeling to the right by platoons, and proceed by 
the nearest way to the left of their ground, in the 
new position that will be pointed out by the Brigade 
Inspectors. — A third signal will be given, on which 
there will be a discharge of thirteen cannon : when 
the thirteenth has fired, a running fire of the infantry 
will begin on the right of Woodford's, and continue 
throughout the whole front line ; it will then be 
taken up on the left of the second line, and continue 



152 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

to the right — on a signal given, the whole army will 
huzza — Long live the King of France ! 

The artillery will then begin again, and fire thir- 
teen rounds. This will be succeeded by a second 
general discharge of the musketry in a running fire 
— Huzza! long live the Friendly European 
Powers! Then the last discharge of thirteen 
pieces of artillery will be given, followed by a 
general running fire — Huzza for the Jimerican 
States ! 

Agreeably to the above orders, His Excellency 
General Washington, his lady and suit. Lord Stir- 
ling, the Countess of Stirling, with other general 
ofiicers and ladies, attended at nine o'clock at the 
Jersey brigade, when the Postcript mentioned above, 
was read, and after prayer a suitable discourse deliv- 
ered to Lord Stirling's division by the Rev. Mr. 
Hunter. 

On the signal at half after eleven, the whole army 
repaired to their alarm posts ; on which General 
Washington, accompanied by the general ojQicers, re- 
viewed the whole army at their respective posts ; 
and after the firing of the cannon and musketry, and 
the huzzas were given agreeably to the orders, the 
army returned to their respective brigade parades, 
and were dismissed. 

All the ofiicers of the army then assembled, and 
partook of a collation provided by the General, at 
which several patriotic toasts were given, accompa- 
nied with three cheers. His Excellency took leave 
of the of&cers at five o'clock, on which there was 
universal huzzaing — Long live General Washing- 
ton ! and clapping of hands till the General rode 
some distance. The non-commissioned ofiicers and 
privates followed the example of their ofiicers as the 
General passed their brigades. Approbation indeed 
was conspicuous in every countenance, and universal 
joy reigned throughout the camp. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 153 

My friend, Major Minnis, from Head Quarters at 
Valley Forge, has detailed to me the particular cir- 
cumstances of the distress and privations, which our 
army suffered, while in winter quarters at that place, 
the last winter. In the month of December, the 
troops were employed in erecting log huts for winter 
quarters, when about one half of the men were des- 
titute of small clothes, shoes, and stockings ; some 
thousands were without blankets, and were obliged 
to warm themselves over fires all night, after the 
fatigues of the day, instead of reposing in comforta- 
ble lodgings. At one time nearly three thousand 
men were returned unfit for duty, from the want of 
clothing, and it was not uncommon to track the march 
of the men over ice and frozen ground, by the blood 
from their naked feet. Several times during the 
winter, they experienced little less than a famine in 
camp ; and more than once our general officers were 
alarmed by the fear of a total dissolution of the army 
from the want of provisions. For two or three 
weeks in succession, the men were on half allowance, 
and for four or five days without bread, and again 
as many without beef or pork. It was with great 
difficulty that men enough could be found in a con- 
dition fit to discharge the military camp duties from 
day to day, and for this purpose those who were 
naked, borrowed from those who had clothes. It 
cannot be deemed strange, that sickness and mortality 
were the consequence of such privations, in the 
midst of an inclement season. Under these unexam- 
pled sufferings, the soldiers exercised a degree of 
patience and fortitude, which reflects on them the 
highest honor, and which ought ever to entitle them 
to the gratitude of their country. The army indeed 
was not without consolation, for his Excellency the 
Commander in Chief, whom every soldier venerates 
and loves, manifested a fatherly concern and fellow 
feeling for their sufferings, and made every exertion 
in his power to remedy the evil, and to administer 
20 



154 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

the nuicli desired relief. Being autliorized by Con 
gress, he reluctantly resorted to the unpopular expe- 
dient of taking provisions from the inhabitants by 
force, and thus procured a small supply for immedi- 
ate necessity.^ This was the unhappy condition of 
that army, on whom General Washington had to rely 
for the defence of every thing held most dear by 
Americans, and this too, while situated within six- 
teen miles of a powerful adversary, with a greatly 
superior army of veterans, w^atching with a vigilant 
eye for an opportunity to effect its destruction. But 
a fact which excites the greatest indignation and 
astonishment, is, that at the critical period above 
mentioned, a party in Congress, in concert with Gen- 
eral Conway, was endeavoring to remove General 
Washington from the supreme command. If the 
American army is to be annihilated, and the cause 
of our country sacrificed to gratify individual ambi- 
tion, then is there a faction ripe for the execution of 
the object. No man, perhaps, ever had a greater 
combination of vexatious evils, and uncontrollable 
obstacles to encounter, than this incomparable patriot 
and warrior ; and no one surely ever possessed in a 
more eminent degree, the peculiar talents and quali- 
ties, requisite for the discharge of the important 
duties assigned him in his elevated station. He has 
acquired the full confidence of every faithful officer 
and soldier under his command, and his wisdom and 
judgment are considered adequate to the most try- 
ing exigences. He rises in the midst of distress, 
and gains strength by misfortunes. The Assembly of 

*It was on this occasion that a foreign officer of distinction, said to 
a friend of mine, that he despaired of our Independence, for while 
walking with Geneial Wasliington, along the soldiers' htitv;, he heard 
fiona many voices echoing through the open crevices hetween the logs, 
^'•no pay^ no cloflies^ no provisions, no rum,'''' and when a miserable be- 
ing was seen flitting from one hut to another, his nakedness was only 
covered by a dirty blanket. It will be diflicult to form a just concep- 
tion of the emotions of grief and sorrow which must have liarroivcd up 
the soul of our illustrious patriot and philanthropist. In this darkening 
hour of adversity, any man who possesses lets firmness than Washington. 
would despair of our Independence. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 155 

Pennsylvania, and a certain party in our Congress, 
entertain an idea that the royal army was permitted 
to take possession of Philadelphia by the timidity, 
or by the excessive caution of our Commander in 
Chief. It is well known, that from necessity he has 
evinced himself more the disciple of Fabius Maximus, 
than of Marcellus. He temporizes, and acts on the 
defensive, when a superior force, and the peculiar 
circumstances of his army compel him to adopt such 
conduct. But no one will deny that he has display- 
ed the greatest courage in opposing danger, and the 
greatest presence of mind in retreating from it. He 
has perplexed the enemy by his judicious manoeu- 
vres, and braved him frequently in his camp ; and it 
is by his superior generalship, and the unfailing re- 
sources of his mind, that the enemy was not sooner 
in possession of Philadelphia, and that our feeble, 
half starved, naked army, has not been entirely de- 
stroyed. The candidates who have been named to 
supersede his Excellency in the supreme command, 
are Generals Lee, MifHin, Gates and Conway. Lee 
has many advocates in his favor. Mifliin has no 
claim, and it is believed no desire, to be elevated 
to this highly responsible station. The splendid 
achievement of General Gates at Saratoga is auspi- 
cious to his preferment, but even the officers and 
soldiers who served under him in the northern army, 
would not willingly yield their attachment to their 
beloved Washington, in whose wisdom and judgment 
they repose such unbounded confidence. It is most 
unfortunate that Congress appears to be split into 
factions at this eventful period, when the salvation of 
our country depends on the harmony and unanimity 
in our councils. A strong party exists in this body, 
who are exerting every nerve to efTcct their favorite 
scheme of elevating General Gates to the supreme 
command. This gentleman is made the object of 
their applause, and caresses, though he has been de- 
ficient in duty and respect in his oflicial station, in 



156 MILITARY JOURI^AL, 1778. 

not communicating to the Commander in Chief the 
important intelligence of the capture of General Bur- 
goyne and his army. General Conway, a French 
gentleman, has been appointed by Congress, Inspector 
General, with the rank of Major General, over a 
number of brigadiers of regular standing, and this, 
even when it was notorious, that he was inimical to 
the Commander in Chief, and the author of letters 
in which his Excellency's character is basely aspers- 
ed and calumniated. These unhappy dissensions 
and jealousies, occasion the greatest solicitude in our 
army, and consequences of a fatal tendency are seri- 
ously apprehended. The brigadiers and a number 
of colonels have remonstrated in strong terras to Con- 
gress respecting the preferment of General Conway. 
The machinations of this insolent foreigner have at 
length recoiled on his own head. Having by his vile 
intrigue, and insufferable effrontery, rendered himself 
an object of disgust in his station, he has been induc- 
ed to resign his commission, and has withdrawn him- 
self from the army.* On this serious occasion, the 
character of Washington was found unassailable and 
it shines with redoubled lustre. His Excellency 
displays a noble magnanimity in overlooking a want 
of confidence in his skill and judgment in his pro- 
fession. Envy and malice are ever attendant on ex- 
alted station and superior merit. 

May \^th, — In various parts of this state the in- 
habitants are constantly infested with a banditti of 
tories and other villains, following the practice of 
robbing and plundering, stealing horses and cattle, 
and often committing murder on those who oppose 
them ; and even on innocent persons. A number of 

* General Conway, after his resignation, was challenged hy General 
Cadwallader, for his conduct, and in the combat he received a wound 
which he supposed to be a mortal one, and conceiving death to be 
near at hand, he conducted lionorably in addressing to General Wash- 
ington a letter of apology. Further particulars relative to this unpleas- 
ant business may be found in the characters of Lee, Gates and Con- 
way, in the Appendix. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 157 

these vile wretches have been apprehended and 
condemned ; two of them were executed yester- 
day. They had been convicted of robbing the house 
of Mr. Van Ness, whose son, being a captain in 
our militia, was taken by them and cruelly murder- 
ed. The criminals were conducted to the gallows 
by a guard of soldiers, and were attended by a 
prodigious number of spectators. They manifested, 
at the gallows, the most agonizing horrors. One of 
them held in his hand a bible till the halter depriv- 
ed him of the power of holding it. Had this sacred 
volume been his companion in early life, it might 
have been the means of averting this awful and un- 
timely death. 

20th. — I attended the judicial court at the City 
Hall for the trial of a number of criminals accused 
of house robbery, horse stealing, and murder, among 
the defenceless inhabitants on our frontiers. No less 
than ten of these miscreants were arrainged at the 
bar. The jury brought in a verdict of guilty against 
the whole number. Judge John Jay, who ofHciated 
on the bench, pronounced the awful sentence of death, 
and addressed them in a very solemn and affecting 
manner, calculated to rouse them to a sense of their 
dreadful condition, and in a moving and pathetic 
strain, enjoined it on them to prepare to meet their 
God. This scene was rendered the more melan- 
choly, by observing among the criminals a grey head- 
ed man of seventy years, and his son about twenty. 
The criminality of the son admits of some extenua- 
tion from his ignorance and the example of his father. 
The youth was afterwards pardoned ; but the old 
man, with several others, expiated their crimes by a 
public execution on the gallows. 

In the town of Schoharie, about thirty miles from 
this city, a company of our troops, under the com- 
mand of Captain Patrick, has been for some time 
stationed for the purpose of guarding the inhabitants 
against the incursions and cruel ravages of the In 



158 MILITARY jouhnal, 1778. 

dians and torics. We have just received the melan- 
choly intelligence, that about two hundred Indians 
and their tory allies, fell on our party by surprize, 
killed the captain and all but fifteen men, and most 
of the inhabitants shared the same miserable fate. 
The bodies were cut and mangled in a savage man- 
ner, and some of them were scalped. 

June 1st. — Orders liave been received for the re- 
moval of our hospital from this city to the high lands, on 
the Hudson river, where our whole army, it is said, 
is about to assemble. During my residence in this 
city I have contracted but a limited acquaintance 
with the inhabitants. They are chiefly Low Dutch, 
and not much inclined to associate with strangers. 
There are however, several families of respectability 
and fashion, who have taken refuge here from New 
York, among whom are some amiable and accom- 
plished ladies, in whose society I have been permitted 
to enjoy a social intercourse. The charming Miss 
M. H. has captivated the heart, and is destined to 
receive the liand of my excellent friend Dr. W. P. S. 
an auspicious union of congenial souls. But in mili- 
tary life our associates must be chiefly those of a 
military character. In a society of about thirty pro- 
fessional gentlemen, harmonizing in similar pursuits 
and inclinations, our sympathies and mutual pleasures 
are mingled, and raised to a state of the purest en- 
joyment. We are now to be separated and subject- 
ed to vicissitudes and incidents beyond our calcula- 
tion. Three of our number are to continue with 
the sick in this place, and the remainder are destined 
to a new situation. 

5th. — We embarked with our hospital stores and 
baggage on board of a sloop, and proceeded with a 
fair wind down the Hudson. In the evening we 
landed at Kinderhook, a small town on the bank of 
the river. 

7th. — Arrived at Fishkill where we replenished 
our stock of provisions. 



MILITAUV JOURXAI., 1778. 159 

"iOth. — Proceeded on our voyage, took in a pilot 
at New Windsor, lodged on board, and on the llth, 
reached the place of our destination, landed our 
stores and baggage, and took possession of the house 
u hich we are to occu])y for a hospital. This house 
was erected by Colonel Beverly Robinson, a respecta- 
ble gentleman from Scotland, for his summer resi- 
dence, but being induced to adhere to the British 
interest, he has, with his excellent family, removed to 
New York, and thereby forfeited his large estate. 
This is a spacious and very convenient building, situ- 
ated on the eastern bank of the Hudson, about two 
miles from West Point, which is on the opposite 
shore. Robinson's house, with the out buildings, is 
found very convenient for a hospital ; the farm and 
gardens are very extensive, affording excellent pas- 
turing for horses and cows, and containing three or 
four large orchards abounding in fruit of various de- 
scriptions. In the location of a country seat, the 
judgment of Colonel Robinson is not much to be 
admired, unless he was guided altogether by a taste 
for romantic singularity and novelty. It is surround- 
ed on two sides by hideous mountains and dreary 
forests, not a house in view, and but one within a 
mile. The Hudson, which washes the borders of this 
farm, affords a facility of communication with New 
York and with Albany ; and the excursion up or 
down the river is truly romantic ; nature exhibits a 
diversified scenery of wild mountains, craggy pre- 
cipices, and noble lofty cliffs, on each side the river, 
which at this place is about one mile wide. The 
bank on the west side is formed by a large mountain 
called Butterhill.andthaton the east by another named 
Brecknock. At a small distance soutli of Robinson's 
is a remarkable bluff, whose rocky cliil's ascend almost 
perpendicularly from the water's edge to the height 
of about twelve or fifteen hundred feet. This, from 
its singular form and appearance, is known by the 
name of Jintfiony^s JS'osa. Not far fi'om Robinson's 



160 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

house is Sugar Loaf Mountain, covered with various 
kinds of forest trees. 

12th. — A little party, consisting of three gentle- 
men of the hospital and myself, resolved on the 
attempt to ascend to the summit of Sugar Loaf Moun- 
tain, which from its rude acclivity is deemed almost 
inaccessible. It was with great difficulty and fatigue 
that we effected our purpose, holding by the limbs and 
bushes, while the decayed wood and loose stones 
sliding from under our feet, kept us in continual fear 
of a fatal fall. Having reached the summit, we 
contemplated with amazement the sublime scene 
which opened to our view. Looking down as from 
a cloud, we beheld the Hudson, resembling a vast 
canal cut through mountains of stupendous magni- 
tude, a few boats playing on its surface, were scarcely 
visible. But to the pen of the poet, and the pencil 
of the painter, be consigned the task of describing 
the wonders of nature there exhibited, in the form 
of huge mountains, rocky cliffs, and venerable forests 
in one confused mass. From this summit too, we 
have a most interesting view of the fortress and 
garrison of West Point. Fort Putnam, on its most 
elevated part, the several redoubts beneath, and the 
barracks on the plain below, with numerous armed 
soldiers in active motion, all defended by the most 
formidable machinery of war, combine to form a 
picturesque scenery of peculiar interest, which can 
be heightened only when from the cannon's mouth 
issue fire and smoke, and the earth trembles with 
its roar and thunder. While musing on the rich 
scenery, we observed a number of large rocks, which 
seemed to have but a slender hold at their basis, we 
conceived that it would not be difficult to undermine 
and precipitate them down the steep precipice. 
Having a consultation to decide on the most eligible 
mode of effecting our purpose, we resolutely com- 
menced the laborious enterprize ; destitute of every 
kind of utensil, we procured each one a limb of a sap- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 161 

ling, with which we burrowed away the earth, and 
soon perceived the happy effects of our industry ; 
the rock began to totter. Among other curiosities 
we viewed the path made by the descent of Putnam's 
rock. Colonel Rufus Putnam ascended this moun- 
tain with forty men, who were, for amusement, em- 
ployed about two days, in precipitating from its sum- 
mit a rock of many tons weight into the river. Such 
was the force of this ponderous body, that in its pas- 
sage it cut down trees of a large size, and nothing 
could impede its course till it fell with a tremendous 
crash into the river. The rock was of such size, 
that a part of it remained above water, and Colonel 
Putnam standing on its top, holding in his hand a 
bottle of spirits, gave to it the name of Putnam's 
rock. 

Julij 2d. — By Dr. Brown, Surgeon General, just 
arrived from Philadelphia, we are favored with the 
intelligence that commissioners have arrived from 
the British government with new proposals for the 
purpose of a reconciliation between the two countries. 
It appears that in consequence of the capture of 
General Burgoyne and his army, the Parliament had 
manifested great mortification and alarm, and have 
been induced to pass some acts, with a view of recon- 
ciliation, more consistent with the just claims of 
America than those formerly declared. The royal 
commissioners have presented to our Congress their 
proposals for a mutual adjustment of existing diffi- 
culties, couched in such plausible, and apparently 
conciliatory language, as to excite serious apprehen- 
sions that it may occasion considerable disaffection 
among the people, if not division in our public 
councils. Fears are entertained by many, in and 
out of Congress, that the expedient now adopted by 
Parliament may be productive of the consequences 
which the authors probably intended, that of relaxa- 
tion and delay in our military preparations. There 
is however, a very important and radical defect in 
21 



162 MILITARY JOURNAL, 177S. 

the terms proposed by the commissioners, they are 
not authorized to treat with Congress on the princi- 
ples of Independency, but still adhere to the idea 
of a reunion of the States, as colonies, under the 
government of Great Britain. Firm in their de- 
termination, never to relinquish this fundamental 
principle, the Congress unanimously rejected the 
proffered conditions, and it is morally certain that 
no terms short of an explicit acknowledgment of our 
Independence, will ever be accepted. A very ani- 
mated address has been published by Congress to 
their constituents respecting the terms proposed by 
the commissioners, in which they observe, that " the 
haughty Prince who spurned us from his feet with 
contumely and disdain, and the Parliament who pro- 
scribed us, now descend to offer terms of accommoda- 
tion. Whilst in the full career of victory, they 
pulled off the mask and avowed despotism. But 
having lavished in vain the blood and treasure of 
their subjects, in pursuit of this execrable purpose, 
they now endeavor to ensnare us with the insidious 
offers of peace. They would seduce us into a de- 
pendance which necessarily and inevitably leads to 
the most humiliating slavery. And do they believe 
you will accept these fatal terms because you have 
suffered the distresses of war? Do they suppose 
that you will basely lick the dust before the feet of 
your destroyers ? Can there be a man so lost to the 
feelings that adorn human nature, to the generous 
pride, the elevation, the dignity of freedom ? Is 
there a man who would not abhor a dependance on 
those, who have deluged his country in the blood of 
its inhabitants? We cannot suppose this, neither 
can we suppose that they themselves expect to make 
many converts. What then is their intention ? Is it 
not to lull you with the fallacious hopes of peace, till 
they can assemble new armies to prosecute their nefa- 
rious designs ? If this is not the case, why do they 
meanly court each little tyrant of Europe to sell them 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 163 

his unhappy slaves? Why do they continue to em- 
bitter the minds of the savages against you ? Surely 
this is not the way to conciliate the affections of 
America. Be not deceived^ The address then 
proceeds to encourage the people with the fairest 
prospect of success in the full establishment of their 
liberty and independence. The most powerful in- 
centives to perseverance and exertion are held fortli 
as the means of vanquishing the foes of our country. 
" Above all bring forward your armies into the field. 
Trust not to appearances of peace or safety. Be 
assured that unless you persevere you will be exposed 
to every species of barbarity ; but if you exert the 
means of defence which God and nature have given 
you, the time will soon arrive when every man shall 
sit under his own vine, and under his own fig tree, 
and there shall be none to make him afraid." 

'3d. — A great degree of dissatisfaction has pre- 
vailed for some time among the officers of our army. 
At the commencement of the war, a considerable pro- 
portion of our ofiicers it is presumed, engaged in the 
service from the purest motives of patriotism ; some 
doubtless were actuated by pecuniary views, or in- 
fluenced by the novelty of the employment, and with 
the expectation that the contest would be of short 
continuance. These incentives appear in a great 
measure to have vanished. The active spirit of 
patriotism is not to be considered as inexhaustible ; 
when it has made the most liberal personal sacri- 
fice, it is disposed to languish and to resign its 
duties to others who hold an ecjual stake in the pub- 
lic weal. The military commission, which in other 
armies is eagerly sought for, and prized, as entitling 
the bearer to the post of honor and profit, is in ours, 
held in little estimation, and in some instances it is 
scarcely considered as reputable. The paper money 
in which our army is paid, has greatly depreciated, 
and an oflicer can with difliculty realize an adecjuate 
support while in camp, and those who have families 



164 MILITARY JOUUNAL, 1778. 

dependant on tliem, are reduced to the greatest em- 
biirrassincnts. Many oUicers, when conunissioned, 
relin(|uisliod lucrative professions, or enjploynients, 
and are devotinc; (he most ])reeioiis portion of life to 
tlie service of their country. When we contemplate 
the destitute ('ondition which may l)e iiis lot at the 
close of the war, or the wretched rircunistances in 
which he may he (Mlled to leave his family in ease 
he should not survive this period, no one can he sur- 
prised that he is dissalislied in his present situation, 
and that he claims from the puhlie a more ample 
remuneration. These considerations, will jiccount for 
the luimerous resignations which have taken ])lace, 
and which has occasioned the Commander in (^hief 
muctli anxiety and concern. Apprehending that he 
should he deprived of the services of njany meritori- 
ous olFicei's, his Excellency (leneral Washington, 
made a feeling representation to ('ongress relative to 
the subject. A (tommittce of that honorable body 
lias l)een appointed to confer with the general, and 
in concert with him, to make and reconnncnd such 
new arrangements as should appear eligible. 11 is 
Kxcellency strongly recommended a half ])ay establish- 
ment, which he conceived was indispensably neces- 
sary, to induce the oHicers to continue in the service, 
ami cheerfully discharge their respective duties, as 
many have ah-cady resigned, and a[>plication for it, is 
fre(|uently made by others. Besides adopting some 
method to make the ])rovision to ollicers e(pjal to 
their jn-csent exigencies, a due regard should be paid 
to futurity. *' Nothing, in my opinion,'' says his 
Kxcellency, " would serve more powerfully to re- 
animate their languishing zeal, and interest them 
thoroughly in the servi(;e than a half pay establish- 
ment." This conference and representation pro- 
duced the dcsii'cd eil'eet. (-ongress being convinced 
of the pi'0])riety and necessity of making further pro- 
vision foi' the encouragement of their army, He- 
solved unanimously, that all military ollicers, com- 



MlLITAUy JOURNAL, 1778. 105 

missioned by C'on^csN, who now arc, or hf-reaftcr may 
l)c, ill iIm- service' of the IJnilcd States, and shall con- 
tinue tlnTcin dining the war, shall after the conclii- 
Kion of it, he entitled to receive annually for the term 
of seven years, if they live so long, one half of the 
present pay of such ofliecrs. 'I'hey further resolved 
unanimously, that every non-commissioned military 
oflicer, or soldier, who has enlist<(l or shall enlist in 
the service of these States during the war, and shall 
continue therein to the end thereof, shall he entitled 
to receive a further reward of eighty dollars at the 
expiration r»f the war. 

Mil. — Intelligence has reached us that the royal 
army, under the command of (ieneral Sir Henry 
(>linton, has evacuated Philadelphia, and while march- 
ing through Jersey to New Yf)rk, (ieneral Wasliing- 
ton attacked them near Monmoiitfi court house, on 
the 2Hth of June, and a warm engagctnient enNiied. 
'i'his contest was conducted with militjiry ardor and 
spirit on ihc side of hoth armies ; hut was not on ro 
broad a scale as to f)rove very decisive in it« con- 
sequences. Kach side, it is said, claims the victory ; 
but allowing the honor to he ecpjally divided, the 
enemy is incomparably the greatest suH'erer. If rc- 
portH are accurate, the loss of the royalistH consists of 
four ofliecrs, and two hundred anfl forty five rank, 
and file killed, and left in the held buried by our 
people ; one thousand two liundred and fifty five 
woiHnlcd; one hundred and s<:venteen prisoners; and 
one thousand five humlred and seventy two deserted 
during the march ; toOil of their loss, after they left 
Philadelphia, according to accounts circulated, three 
thousand one hufidred and eighty nine. Of the con- 
tinenUds, af:cording to returns, sixty nine were killed, 
one hundred and forty two wounded, and about one 
hundnrd missing. The intense heat of the weather, 
great fatigue, and drinking cold water, proved fatal 
to about sixty or eighty men of each j>aily. fieneraj 
Washington commanded in person on this memorable 



166 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

day. He was exposed to every danger while en- 
couraging and animating liis troops, and his presence 
and example were of the utmost importance during 
the day. After the action, at night, he laid down 
in his cloak under a tree, with the expectation of 
recommencing the battle in the morning, but the 
royal army silently retreated during the night with- 
out being pursued. 

One unfortunate circumstance occurred on this 
occasion, which created considerable embarrassment, 
and deranged the plan of operations. Major General 
Lee, was ordered by the Commander in Chief, to 
advance and attack the enemy's rear, so soon as a 
proper opportunity should offer. Having approached 
very near, instead of engaging, he suffered his troops 
to retreat in some confusion. On learning this, his 
Excellency was exceedingly mortified and astonished ; 
coming up to General Lee, and meeting part of his 
corps in their flight, he with some warmth inquired 
the cause of his retreat, and addressed General Lee, 
in language which implied censure. The high spirited 
Lee could not brook the slightest appearance of dis- 
approbation, and replied with an air of disrespect. 
He however, requested of his Excellency fresh orders 
for the conduct of his corps, and these he promptly 
obeyed, and discovered no want of bravery in the 
field. But, unable to quell the rankling of a turbu- 
lent temper, he addressed after the battle, two letters 
to the Commander in Chief, containing improper and 
disrespectful expressions. As if in defiance of supe- 
rior authority, he demanded a trial by a court mar- 
tial, that he might have an opportunity of vindicating 
his conduct, in consequence of which his Excellency 
has put him under arrest to await his trial. 

5th. — Congress have passed a vote of thanks to 
General Washington and his army, for their brave 
conduct at the battle of Monmouth. 

8//i. — I accompanied Dr. Woodruff to Fishkill 
^ illage, about fourteen miles. Dined at the hospital 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 167 

with our old friends Drs. Adams and Eustis. They 
are pleasantly situated in a seciire retreat, for the 
accommodation of our sick and wounded soldiers. 

It is expected the French government will lend 
us their assistance and co-operation against our Eng- 
lish adversaries. It is asserted that a powerful 
French fleet will soon arrive on our coast. 

16/A. — His Excellency the Commander in Chief 
visited West Point, to take a view of the works which 
are constructing there. His arrival was announced 
by the discharge of thirteen cannon, the number of 
the United States. 

20th. — Having a number of sheep running at large 
in the woods belonging to our hospital, and being in 
want of mutton, I was induced to assist the slaughterers 
with my gun against these harmless animals. In pur- 
suit of this game, I devoted most of the day, and a 
single sheep only was the reward of my labor and 
fatigue. On my return, I was accused of want of 
skill as a marksman, and Dr. Prescott challenged me 
to decide our superiority by firing at a mark ; the 
challenge accepted, we placed an object at the end 
of our garden. After the third fire, we were checked 
by an unpleasant incidenk Several horses were 
grazing in a field directly vH. our range, and one of 
them, a valuable animal, received a ball through his 
body. The wound on examination was found to be 
fatal, the skill of the surgeon could avail nothing, and 
to add to our chagrin, we were informed that the 
animal was the property of Brigadier General Glover, 
and was by him highly prized. We soon received a 
billet from the general, and on waiting on him at 
West Point, to adjust the terms of settlement, he 
demanded the cost of the hoi'se, which was one hun- 
dred and fifty dollars. Justice and honor required 
that we should promptly comply with his demand. A 
soldier who had the charge of the horses, informed us 
that one of the balls struck the ground within a yard 
of his feet j had the poor fellow been the victim, the 



168 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

catastrophe would have been much more melancholy ; 
but the event is sufficiently unfortunate to deter us 
from again sporting with our guns at random shot. 
' 27th. — Colonel Malcome, from West Point, with 
his much admired lady, and several other officers, 
favored us with their company to dine ; we treated 
our polite guests with all the civilities and all the 
comforts in our power, and the cheering glass was 
not removed till evening, when we accompanied them 
to the river side, and finished two bottles of port on 
^board their barge. 

28/A. — Agreeably to invitation, the gentlemen of 
our hospital returned the visit to Colonel Malcome, 
at West Point, and were entertained in the most 
genteel manner. 

The public mind is now in a state of excitement, 
occasioned by the improper proceedings of the royal 
commissioners for restoring peace. They have made 
a second communication to Congress, but still with- 
out any intimation of a recognition of the Inde- 
pendence of the United States ; but address them on 
the supposition, that the people of America are still 
the subjects of the crown of Britain. This last com- 
munication is drafted with much art and address, 
calculated to excite jealousies and division among the 
people. Not content with their public declarations, 
and proposals addressed to Congress, they have 
actually descended to the dishonorable act of in- 
sidious offers to corrupt some distinguished indivi- 
duals. Governor Johnstone, one of the commissioners, 
with inexcusable effrontery, offered a bribe to Mr. 
Reed, a member of Congress. In an interview with 
Mrs. Ferguson at Philadelphia, whose husband is a 
royalist, he desired she would mention to Mr. Reed, 
that if he would engage his interest to promote the 
object of their commission, he might have any office 
in the colonies, in the gift of his B?'ita?inic majesty, 
and ten thousand pounds in hand. Having solicited 
an interview with Mr. Reed, Mrs. Ferguson made 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 169 

her conmiunication. Spurning the idea of being 
piirchased, he replied, ^< that he was not worth pur- 
chasing, but such as he was, the king of Great Britain 
was not rich enougli to do it." Congress declined 
all further intercourse witii the commissioners, and 
terminated their attempts at negotiation, unless their 
royal master would first withdraw his fleets and 
armies, or expressly acknowledge the Independence 
of the United States. In order to demonstrate their 
most pointed indignation against such daring attempts 
to corrupt their integrity, they resolved, that it was. 
incompatible with their honor to hold any further 
intercourse with George Johnstone, Esquire, more 
especially to negotiate with him on affairs in which 
the cause of liberty and virtue are interested. 

We are just informed of a new order of fanatics, 
who have recently introduced themselves into our 
country, pretending to be a religious sect ; but if 
reports be true, they are a disgrace both to religion 
and to human nature. They are called Shaking 
Quakers, or dancing quakers, though they have no 
atlinity either in principle or character to the estab- 
lished order of Quakers. Their leader is a female by 
the name of Ann Lee, niece of General Lee, of our 
army. She is lately from England, and has brought 
over with her a few followers, and has had the address 
to seduce several individuals of our country to her 
party. She is known by the appellation of Mother 
Aini, and pretends to have received a revelation from 
heaven. The method which they practise under 
the idea of religious worship, is so obviously impious, 
as to exceed the bounds of credibility ; but we have 
the particulars from eye witnesses, who have been 
admitted to their midnight orgies. They spend whole 
nights in their revels, and exhibit the most unbecom- 
ing scenes, violating all rules of propriety and decency. 
Both sexes, nearly divested of clothing, fall to dancing 
in extravagant postures, and frequently whirl them- 
selves round on one leg with inconceivable rapidity, 
22 



170 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

till they fall apparently lifeless on the floor. A spec- 
tator asserts, that the fantastic contortions of body in 
which their pretended religious exercises consist, bear 
the semblance of supernatural impulse, and that no 
imagination can form an adequate idea of the extra- 
vagant conduct of these infatuated people — a bur- 
lesque on all moral and religious principle.* 

August 3d. — I am now to notice one of the most 
dreadful instances of perfidious savage cruelty that 
can perhaps be found on the records of history. 
However incredible the particulars may appear, they 
are found in various pu!)lications, and received as 
indubitable facts. Nor would I tarnish a page with 
the diabolical transaction, till the detailed account 
has been incontrovertibly established. At a place 
on the eastern branch of the Susquehannah river, was 
a flourishing settlement called Wyoming. It con- 
sisted of eight townships, containing one thousand 
families ; and such was the zeal with which they 
espoused the cause of America, that they voluntarily 
raised about one thousand soldiers for the continen- 
tal army. The climate and soil of this territory 
are admirably adapted to the production of grain, 
hemp, fruit and stock of all kinds. The inhabitants 
of this secluded spot, might have lived in the enjoy- 
ment of all the happiness which results from harmony 
and the purest natural aflection. But unfortunately 
they suffered themselves to be divided by the turbu- 
lent spirit of party, distinguished by the epithet of 
whig and tory. Whea this rancorous spirit was per- 
mitted to disclose itself, animosities arose to such an 
astonishing height, as to sever the tenderest ties of 
family friendship, and the dearest connexions. Many 
of the active inhabitants, influenced by malice and 
revenge, abandoned their plantations, forsook their 

* The sect now denominated Shaking Quakers, are an orderly and 
civil people ; they have rendered themselves remarkable for industry 
and ingenuity, and for their particular attention to agriculture and the 
mechanic arts. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 171 

neighbors and friends, and allied themselves with the 
savages, whom tiiey instigated and assisted in the 
barbarous work of slaughter and death among their 
friends. The inhabitants, on receiving intelligence 
that an enterprize was preparing against them, and 
sensible of their perilous situation, threw up entrench- 
ments and redoubts, to defend themselves against the 
gathering storm. About the first of July List, the 
ferocious enemy, consisting of one thousand six hun- 
dred tories, Indians and half-blooded Englishmen, 
approached the settlement, and were perceived lurk- 
ing about their borders. This motley combination 
w'as commanded by a Colonel John Butler, a tory 
refugee, and others, no less inhuman and cruel than 
their savage allies. In order to lull the inhabitants 
Into security, the enemy several times sent messages 
to the settlers, that they had no hostile designs against 
them, and the treacherous Butler himself declared, 
that he should not molest them the present season. 
The inhabitants however, had reason to distrust their 
professions, and those capable of bearing arms, were 
immediately embodied under the command of Colonel 
Zeb. Butler, cousin to the commander of the savages. 
The women and children were directed to take 
refuge in the forts. The enemy approached and 
pretending they were desirous of a parley, proposed 
that Colonel Zeb. Butler should meet them at some 
distance from the fort for that purpose. He com- 
plied, but for safety, took wdth him four hundred 
armed men. This proved to be a fatal stratagem, 
he soon found himself surrounded and attacked on 
every side ; he and his little party defended them- 
selves with great firmness and bravery ; and the 
commander, with about twenty of his men, finally 
made their escape. The enemy now rushed on and 
invested the fort, which they cannonaded most of 
the day ; and horrid to relate, when they sent in 
a demand for the surrender, it was accompanied by 
one hundred and ninety six bloody scalps taken from. 



172 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

those who had just been slain. Colonel Dennison, 
on whom the command of the fort had devolved, 
defended himself till most of his men had fallen by 
his side, when he went out with a flag, to inquire 
what terms would be granted him on surrendering 
the garrison ? He received from the ferocious Butler, 
a reply in two words, " the hatchetP Colonel Den- 
nison was finally obliged to surrender at discretion, 
still retaining a hope of mercy. But he was wofully 
mistaken, the threat of Butler was rigorously exe- 
cuted ; after selecting a few prisoners, the remainder 
of the people, including women and children, were 
enclosed in the houses and barracks, which were 
immediately set on fire, and the whole consumed to- 
gether. Another fort was near at hand, in which 
were seventy continental soldiers; on surrendering 
without conditions, these were, to a man, butchered 
in a barbarous manner ; when the remainder of the 
men, women and children were shut up in the houses, 
and the demons of hell, glutted their vengeance, in 
beholding their destruction in one general conflagra- 
tion ! ! This tragical scene being finished, the mer- 
ciless authors of it, spread fire and sword throughout 
the settlement, sparing however, the houses and 
farms of the tories ; they extended their cruel hands 
to the cattle in the field, shooting some, and cutting 
out the tongues of others, leaving them alive. The 
additional particulars, from their unparalleled enor- 
mity, would not be recited here, were it not that 
they have been already promulgated from authentic 
sources. One of the prisoners, a Captain Badlock, 
was committed to torture, by having his body stuck 
full of splinters of pine knots, and a fire of dry wood 
made round him, when his two companions. Captains 
Ranson and Durkee, were thrown into the same fire, 
and held down with pitch forks, till consumed. One 
Partial Terry, the son of a man of respectable charac- 
ter, having joined the Indian party, several times 
sent his father word that he hoped to wash his hands 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 173 

in his hearfs blood ; the monster with his own hands 
murdered his father, mother, brothers and sisters, 
stripped off their sealps, and cut off his father^ s 
head ! ! Thomas Terry, with his own hands butch- 
ered his own mother, his father-in-law, his sisters 
and their infant children, and exterminated the 
whole family ! A few individuals, mostly women 
and children, made their escape during the carnage 
of the day, and dispersed themselves, wandering in 
the woods destitute of provision or covering, shudder- 
ing with terror and distress ; their sufferings must be 
extreme, and their fate uncertain. It is only in the 
infernal regions that we can look for a parallel instance 
of unnatural wickedness. The cries of widows and 
orphans call for the avenging hand of heaven. The 
name of Colonel John Butler, ought to be consigned 
to eternal infamy, for the base treachery and cruelty 
with which he betrayed his kinsman. Colonel Zeb. 
Butler, a respectable American officer, while under 
the sanction of a flag. 

4:th. — In company with Mr. Governeur Morris 
and Dr. Brown, our Surgeon General, I rode to camp 
near White Plains ; waited on Colonel Scammel, 
Adjutant General, to inquire, whether any regiment 
is destitute of a surgeon, as I am desirous of exchang- 
ing my present station for the offtce of regimental 
surgeon. This object I might have effected, but Dr. 
Brown prevailed on me not to dissolve my connexion 
with the General Hospital at present. From camp, 
I performed a journey to Branford, and from thence 
toDanbury, in Connecticut. Dined with Drs. Eustis 
and Adams, at their quarters at Branford, and reach- 
ed Danbury in the evening. On my return, the 3 th, 
dined at a tavern at Crompond, and in the afternoon, 
I missed my road, and my horse tired. I was direct- 
ed into an obscure path through a thick forest, and 
arrived at the hospital late in the evening. Riding 
through a thick wood, my attention was arrested by 
a novel spectacle, on a branch of a large oak about 



174 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

thirty feet high, I observed a monstrous black snake, 
suspended by a coil of its tail, his head and about 
half his length inclining downwards, basking in the 
sun. It appeared about two yards in length, and the 
size of a man's arm. Its skin was of a jet black, and 
its prominent sparkling black eyes were very beauti- 
ful. He viewed me as I passed with the fierceness 
of a tiger ; but discovering none of those fascinating 
charms by which our credulous mother Eve was so 
wofuUy beguiled, and disdaining the whole progeny 
of deceivers, I passed on without viewing him as an 
object of my civilities. 

7th. — An unusual number of patients have been 
brought into our hospital within a few days. Their 
diseases are putrid fever and dysentery, many of the 
cases appear so malignant, that it is feared, they will 
baffle all the skill of the physician. 

10/A. — A friend from Albany informs me, that 
three men, and two girls have lately been sentenced 
to suffer death for murder and robbery. The two 
girls are sisters, and one of the men is their brother. 
Another brother was executed last autumn, and their 
mother is now in prison, awaiting her trial for the 
same crime. The women had disguised themselves 
in men's apparel, and united with the tories and 
Indians in perpetrating the most inhuman cruelties, 
and savage barbarities, among the defenceless and 
innocent inhabitants. It is time this notorious family 
should be exterminated from the earth, as an awful ex- 
ample to those wretches who are still in the practice 
of similar crimes. One of the British ships, in the 
harbor of New York, took fire by lightning and blew 
up ; the explosion shook the whole city like an earth- 
quake, and excited great consternation among the 
inhabitants. 

September 4th. — A large French fleet has arrived 
on our coast, under the command of Count D'Estaign, 
and has blocked up the harbor of Newport. An 
army, chiefly of militia and volunteers, fiM)m the 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 175 

New England States, with two brigades of conti- 
nental troops, under command of Major General Sul- 
livan, laid siege to the royal army on the island. 
From this land force, with the co-operation of the 
French fleet, very sanguine expectations were formed 
that the enterprize would have been crowned with 
success. But the English fleet appeared, and Count 
D'Estaign was induced to pursue them and to off'er 
battle, when unfortunately a violent storm arose, by 
which his fleet suflered so considerably that the 
Count was obliged to quit the expedition, and pro- 
ceed to Boston to repair his ships. General .Sulli- 
van's army continued several days on the island, 
besieging the enemy, and finally a smart engagement 
ensued, iu which both our regular troops and the 
militia, emulous of fame and glory, combatted the 
enemy during the day. The result of the contest 
was a repulse of the royal forces ; they retired from 
the field with considerable loss, and employed them- 
selves in fortifying their camp. In the absence of 
the French fleet. Sir Henry Clinton sent from New- 
York large reinforcements, in consequence of which 
it was unanimously agreed in a council of war, to 
retire from the island. The retreat was conducted 
by General Sullivan, with great judgment and dis- 
cretion, without loss of men or baggage, though in the 
face of an enemy of superior force. This exploit 
reflects great honor both on the general and the 
brave troops under his command. In the honors of 
this expedition, and retreat. Major General Greene, 
and the Marquis de la Fayette participated conspic- 
uously, but were greatly disappointed in the final 
result. 

5th. — Major General Lee has gone through his 
trial, before a court martial, appointed for the purpose. 
The charges exhibited against him were, 1st. Diso- 
bedience of orders, in not attacking the enemy on 
the 28th of June, agreeably to repeated instructions. 
2d. For misbehavior before the enemy on the same 



176 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

day, in making an unnecessary, disorderly and shame- 
ful retreat. 3d. For disrespect to the Commander 
in Chief, in two letters dated June 28th, and July 
1st. To these several charges the General made a 
very able and excellent defence ; particularizing all 
the circumstances attending the unhappy aifair, and 
to the utmost of his ability extenuating and vindicat- 
ing his conduct. The court, nevertheless, pronounc- 
ed him guilty, and their sentence was, " that Major 
General Lee be suspended from his command, in the 
armies of the United States, for the space of one 
year." This sentence is like a mortal v^ound to the 
lofty, aspiring spirit of General Lee ; few men are 
less calculated to sustain such a rebuff to pride and 
ambitious views.* 

6/A. — A duel was fought a few days since between 
General G. and Colonel W. Two shots were ex- 
changed without bloodshed, and a reconciliation was 
effected. The gentlemen, it is said, displayed a 
firmness and bravery becoming their rank and char- 
acter, and have established their claim to the title of 
gentlemen of honor. As their courage has never 
been called in question, the present rencontre was 
unnecessary, unless it be to evince that they possess 
malice enough in their hearts to commit a murderous 
deed. The example of superior officers will have 
great influence with those of inferior rank, whether 
contending with the dogs of war, or in adjusting the 
minor points of honor. 

Sth. — Major General Putnam has arrived in this 
vicinity, with the division of Virginia and Maryland 
troops under his command, and they have encamped 
on the borders of the river. Brigadiers Woodford 
and Muhlenburg have taken up quarters in apart- 
ments in our hospital. This is my first interview 
with this celebrated hero. In his person he is cor- 
pulent and clumsy, but carries a bold, undaunted 

*See Appendix, for General Lee's character and abuse of Geiierif 
Washington. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 177 

I'ront. He exhibits little of the refinements of the 
well educated gentleman, but much of the character 
of the veteran soldier. He appears to be advanced 
to the age of about sixty years, and it is famed of 
him that he has, in many instances, proved himself as 
brave as Caesar. He visited our hospital, and inquir- 
ed with much solicitude into the condition of our 
patients; obsei'ving a considerable number of men 
who were infected with the ground itch, generated 
by laying on the ground, he inquired why they were 
not cured. I answered, '• because we have no hog's 
lard to make ointment."' " Did you never," says 
the general, '• cure the itch with tar and brimstone?" 
"No Sir." "Then," replied he good humoredly, 
" you are not fit for a doctor."* 

Dr. Ferguson, Secretary to the British commis- 
sioners, forwarded to Congress a declaration signed 
George Johnstone, respecting the resolve of Congress 
relative to his attempt on the fidelity of one of their 
members, which resolve he thinks to be calculated by 
Congress to delude the people of America, and to 
defeat the design of the commissioners in effecting 
an accommodation, which he says he would not pre- 
vent, and therefore declines acting any more as a com- 
missioner. Another declaration signed by the three 
commissioners, Carlisle, Clinton, and Eden, in which 
they disclaim all knowledge of the conduct of Gov- 
ernor Johnstone, in tampering with a member of Con- 
gress, till they read it in the newspapers. This 
paper contains ungenerous reflections on France, and 
intimates their astonishment that the Americans 
should prefer an alliance with France to a submis- 
sion to tiie government of England. This, their last 
manifesto, has been published, and by permission of 
Congress, circulated through the United States. It 
was addressed to the members of Congress, the mem- 
bers of the general assemblies or conventions of the 
several colonies, plantations, and provinces, and was 

*See Appendix, for his churacter. 

23 



178 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

to be in force forty days from the date. It offers a 
general or separate peace to the colonies, with the 
revival of their ancient government, secured against 
future infringements, and protected forever from tax- 
ation by Great Britain, if they will relinquish their in- 
dependence j break their faith with France, Congress 
having formed a treaty of alliance with that nation, 
and submit to the British yoke. These, if not the 
positive, are the implied terms on which they offer 
peace. But if their terms are not complied with, 
then are we to expect more severe expressions of 
British vengeance than we have hitherto experienced. 
Hostilities are, they say, to be conducted in a more 
rigorous and terrific form, that the United States may 
be rendered of less importance to the French King, 
their inveterate enemy, and our new ally. We are, 
therefore, if we persevere in our obstinacy, threat- 
ened with the cruel extremes of war, and a desola- 
tion of our country. This last manifesto contains a 
recital of what the commissioners term the blessings 
they are empowered to confer, and a warning of the 
continued train of evils to which the colonies are at 
present blindly and obstinately exposing themselves, 
&c. &c. The commissioners explicitly declared that 
they had 7ieither authority nor inclination to ac- 
knowledge the colonies to be independent — and 
Congress having informed them '^ that they would 
treat with Great Britain on no other terms," it put 
an end to the negotiation, and the commissioners, it 
is understood, are preparing to depart from the con- 
tinent. The British government manifests extreme 
chagrin and disappointment, on account of the pros- 
perous career of the United States, and are very in- 
dignant that their conceited omnipotent authority 
should be so presumptuously called in question by 
those, whom they still affect to consider in the light 
of dependant colonies. 

In their reply to the declarations of the commis- 
sioners, our Congress mention the causes which in- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 179 

(liiccd the people of America to array themselves in 
arms, that it was the oppressive and tyrannical mea- 
sures of the British ministry, and after briefly recit- 
ing the cruelties that had hitherto been exercised by 
their troops, and navy, acting against us, they add, 
*"' that since their incorrigible dispositions cannot be 
touched by kindness and compassion, it becomes 
the duty of Congress, by other means, to vindicate 
the rights of humanity," and they conclude by Say- 
ing, ^* that if our enemies presume to execute their 
threats, and persist in their present mode of barba- 
rity, we will take such exemplary vengeance as shall 
deter others from a like conduct." They appeal to 
that God, who searches the hearts of all men, for the 
rectitude of their intentions, and in his holy presence 
declare, " that as they are not moved by any light or 
hasty suggestions of anger or revenge, so through 
every possible change of fortune they shall adhere to 
this their determination." 

October. — The regiment of cavalry, commanded by 
Colonel Baylor, being posted on our lines near Tap- 
pan, their situation was betrayed by some tories, and 
a party of the enemy surprized them while in a barn, 
in the night, and massacred a part of them with cir- 
cumstances of savage cruelty. The commander of 
the party, who disgraced themselves by this foul 
deed, was the English General Grey. Colonel Bay- 
lor's detachment consisted of one hundred and four 
horsemen, the attack was so sudden, that they were 
entirely defenceless, and the enemy immediately com- 
menced the horrid work of slaughter ; their entreaties 
and cries for mercy were totally disregarded by their 
savage foes. It has been well ascertained that the 
British soldiers were ordered by their inhuman offi- 
cers to bayonet every man they could find, and to 
give no quarter. Major General Lord Stirling, hav- 
ing by request ascertained the particulars respecting 
this execrable transaction, makes the following state- 
ment : " On its being intimated to me," says his 



180 MILITARY JOURxVAL, 1778. 

Lordship, " that Congress were desirous to know the 
particulars of the massacre of Colonel Baylor's regi- 
ment, I desired Dr. Griffith, surgeon and chaplain 
to General Woodford's brigade, and who attended 
Colonel Baylor and the other wounded persons, to 
collect all the evidence he could of this barbarous 
affair. I have just now received collections on this 
subject." The collection contains the affidavits and 
depositions of a number of soldiers belonging to that 
unfortunate regiment, who solemnly declare, that after 
they had surrendered and asked for qiiarter, it was 
refused. Thomas Hutchinson, sergeant of the third 
troop, escaped unhurt ; but heard the British sol- 
diers cry out, '' Sliver him," repeatedly. Cullency^ 
of the first troop, who received twelve wounds, 
says, '^ that when the enemy entered the barn where 
his troops lay, he and the men asked for quarter, 
and were refused ; that the British captain, Bull, 
after inquiring how many of the rebels were dead, 
on being told the number, ordered all the rest to be 
knocked on the head, and that his orders were ex- 
ecuted on five or six of the wounded." Benson, of 
the second troop, received also twelve wounds, he 
declared he heard the men in the barn with him ask 
for quarter, which was returned with wounds, and 
abusive language ; he thought it in vain to ask for 
quarter himselt^ as he heard the soldiers reply to 
others that begged it, " that their captain had order- 
ed them to stab all, and make no prisoners." Thomas 
Talley, of the sixth troop, received six wounds ; he 
declared, " that after the enemy had taken him and 
partly stripped him, the soldiers inquiring of their 
captain what should be done with him, he ordered 
him to be killed, and after that he received six 
wounds in his breast with their bayonets at different 
times." Sonthioard, of the fifth troop, says, that 
five men out of thirteen of their regiment, in the 
barn with him, were killed outright, and the rest, 
excepting himself, bayoneted ; that he heard the 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 181 

British ofiicer order his men to put all to death, and 
afterwards ask if they had finished all — that they 
offered quarters to some, who on surrendering them- 
selves, they bayoneted." The depositions of seven 
others, attested by Governor Livingston of New 
Jereey, confirm the above declarations. Mr. Morris, 
lieutenant and adjutant in Baylor's regiment, receiv- 
ed seven wounds ; he declared that on begging his 
life after he had surrendered, they replied, yes, d — n 
you, we will give you quarters, and then rushed on 
and stabbed him with their bayonets, and stripped 
him of all his clothes. It is a melancholy and 
awful consideration, that any unnecessary severity 
should be put in practice to aggravate the common 
horrors of war. Britain, who boasts of her bravery, 
her progress in the polite arts, and generosity of 
temper, has, in her manner of conducting the war in 
America, most infamously outraged all the laws of 
humanity, and set an example of savage brutality, 
detestable to every civilized people, and to every 
friend of human kind. They are destroying the char- 
acter of their nation in the eyes of all the world. 
Witness their fatal prison ships, their murders in 
cold blood, their wanton burning and devastations, 
their licentious abuses, which exhibit a picture of bar- 
barity scarcely to be credited among civilized na- 
tions. What then must be our situation, should our 
country ever be reduced to an absolute subjection to 
such a mean spirited people ? These considerations 
should awaken every motive that can animate a manly 
bosom, to despise every danger in repelling from our 
shores such barbarous invaders and in humbling such 
unprincipled foes to our freedom. 

His Excellency, the Commander in Chief, made a 
visit to our hospital ; his arrival was scarcely an- 
nounced, before he presented himself at our doors. 
Dr. Williams and myself had the honor to wait on this 
great and truly good man, through the different 
wards, and to reply to his inquiries relative to the 



182 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

condition of our patients. He appeared to take a 
deep interest in the situation of the sick and wound- 
ed soldiers, and inquired particularly as to their 
treatment and comfortable accommodations. Not 
being apprized of his intended visit in time to make 
preparation for his reception, we were not entirely 
free from embarrassment, but we had the inexpressi- 
ble satisfaction of receiving his Excellency's appro- 
bation of our conduct, as respects the duties of our 
department. The personal appearance of our Com- 
mander in Chief, is that of the perfect gentleman and 
accomplished v^'arrior. He is remarkably tall, full six 
feet, erect and well proportioned. The strength and 
proportion of his joints and muscles, appear to be 
commensurate with the preeminent powers of his 
mind. The serenity of his countenance, and majes- 
tic gracefulness of his deportment, impart a stroftg 
impression of that dignity and grandeur, which are 
his peculiar characteristics, and no one can stand in 
his presence without feeling the ascendancy of his 
mind, and associating with his countenance the idea 
of wisdom, philanthropy, magnanimity, and patrio- 
tism. There is a fine symmetry in the features of his 
face, indicative of a benign and dignified spirit. 
His nose is strait, and his eyes inclined to blue. He 
wears his hair in a becoming cue, and from his fore- 
head it is turned back and powdered in a manner 
which adds to the military air of his appearance. 
He displays a native gravity, but devoid of all ap- 
pearance of ostentation. His uniform dress is a blue 
coat, with two brilliant epaulettes, buif colored un- 
der clothes, and a three cornered hat, with a black 
cockade. He is constantly equipped with an elegant 
small sword, boots and spurs, in readiness to mount 
his noble charger. There is not in the present age, 
perhaps, another man so eminently qualified to dis- 
r.harge the arduous duties of the exalted station he 
is called to sustain, amidst difficulties which to others 
would appear insurmountable, nor could any man 



MILITARY JOUHNAL, 1778. 183 

liave more at command the veneration and regard ol' 
the officers and soldiers of our army, even after de- 
feat and misfortune. This is the illustrious chief, 
whom a kind Providence has decreed as the instru- 
ment to conduct our country to peace and to Inde- 
pendence. 

Major General Schuyler, having for more than 
a year been suspended from military command, in 
consequence of his concurrent responsibility respect- 
ing the evacuation of Ticondcroga, in July, 1777, 
has at length undergone his trial by a court martial, 
of which Major General Lincoln was president, and 
is acquitted, with the highest honor, of the charge 
exhibited against him. This excellent officer has 
finally obtained that justice, which from undue pre- 
judice has so long been denied him. 

Major General Arthur St. Clair, has also by the 
same court, been acquitted with the highest honor of 
the charge exhibited against him, of evacuating the 
post at Ticonderoga. His masterly defence before the 
court, is admired for the display of superior intellect, 
sound principle, pure integrity, and correctness of 
judgment. General St. Clair, it is presumed, will 
never receive an adequate compensation for the un- 
merited contumely which he has experienced from 
Congress and the public. It is the height of injus- 
tice to subject a man of established character, to suf- 
fer in reputation, and in sensibility, merely from sur- 
mise and suspicion ; and the injury is greatly aggra- 
vated, when the accused is long held up to public 
odium, and not permitted to adduce evidence in his 
own vindication. General St. Clair has frequently 
been heard to express a consciousness of the upright- 
ness and propriety of his conduct, and to despise the 
vague censure of an uninformed populace ; and when 
Burgoyne was advancing into the country, he said 
he had the most sanguine hope, that the progress of 
the enemy would be checked, and that he should 
have the satisfaction to experience, that though he 



184 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

had lost a post, he had eventually saved a state. 
This hope lie has realized in its fullest extent, by 
the event, that the British commander and army, to 
whom he surrendered a post, has since been com- 
pelled to submit as captives to our army. General 
St. Clair, was an officer in the army of General Wolfe, 
and was in the battle in which that celebrated com- 
mander was slain on the Plains of Abraham. He 
was estimated as a young officer of merit, capable 
of obtaining a high grade of military reputation. 
Soon after the commencement of hostilities, in 1775, 
he was, without his solicitation, appointed to the office 
of colonel, and he marched with his regiment into 
Canada, where he rendered very important services. 
He was subsequently promoted to the rank of major 
general, and on all occasions supported an honorable 
distinction, and shared largely in the confidence and 
friendship of the Commander in Chief. 

JVovember 3d. — Having made a visit to Fishkill, I 
returned in company with Dr. Treat, our Physician 
General, and found a large number of gentlemen col- 
lecting to partake of an entertainment, by invitation 
of Brigadier General Muhlenburg, who occupies a 
room in our hospital. The guests consisted of forty 
one respectable officers, and our tables were furnish- 
ed with fourteen different dishes, arranged in fashion- 
able style. After dinner. Major General Putnam 
was requested to preside, and he displayed no less 
urbanity at the head of the table, than bravery at the 
head of his division. A number of toasts were pro- 
nounced, accompanied with humorous and merry 
songs. In the evening we were cheered with military 
music and dancing, which continued till a late hour 
in the night. General Muhlenburg was a minister 
of a parish in Virginia, but participating in the spirit 
of the times, exchanged his clerical profession for 
that of a soldier. Having in his pulpit inculcated 
the principles of liberty, and the cause of his country, 
he found no difficulty in enlisting a regiment of sol- 



M1L1TAK\ JUL'KNAL., 1778. 185 

(liei's. and he was appointed their commander. He en- 
tered his pulpit with his sword and cockade, preached 
his farewell sermon, and the next day marched at 
the head of his regiment to join the army, and he 
does honor to the n»ilitary profession. 

\Olfi. — Having for a long time served in the hos- 
pital department, and having no claim to promotion 
there, I resolved to relinquish that station, and accept 
the appointment of surgeon to the first Virginia state 
regiment, commanded by Colonel George Gibson. 
Being introduced to the oflicers of tiie regiment,, I 
received a polite invitation to take my quarters in 
the marquee with Colonel Gibson, and his Lieutenant 
Colonel, William Brent. Thomas Meriweather is 
his Major. 

IStli. — Rode to the village of Fishkill, breakfasted 
with Dr. Treat and Colonel Hayes, and waited on 
Dr. John Cochran, who is now in close attendance on 
the Marquis de la Fayette, who is dangerously sick 
with a fever. 

23r/. — We have now had a long respite from battles 
and skirmishes, the season for the campaign is about 
expiring, and no one can boast of having achieved 
deeds of much fame and glory. As we are stationed 
at a considerable distance from the enemy at New 
York, we feel secure from the annoyance of the dogs 
of war ; and military duty not being very urgent, 
our oflicers appear disposed to relax in their discipline 
and contract a habit approaching to dissipation. They 
iiave adopted the practice of giving suppers alter- 
nately, with music and dancing through half the 
night. These are the favorite amusements of the 
Virginia and Maryland oflicers, but they do not ac- 
cord precisely with my own views of time well spent, 
though I am frccpiently enticed to a participation in 
their banqueting revels. 

24//i. — I accepted an invitation to dine with Cap- 
tain Carter, at West Point. He is a gentleman of 
independent fortune and lives in splendid style. His 
24 



186 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1778. 

guests were numerous and highly respectable, and 
the entertainment rich and arranged with taste. 

25th. — Dined with General Muhlenburg, in com- 
pany with several Virginia officers, and as usual, closed 
the day with music and dancing. 

27th. — ^\''isited my friends at Fishkill, and by the 
request of Colonel Gibson, I waited on the Marquis 
de la Fayette. The colonel furnished me with a 
letter of introduction, and his compliments, with 
inquiries respecting the Marquis's health. I was 
received by this nobleman in a polite and affable 
manner. He is just recovering from a fever, and 
was in his chair of convalescence. He is nearly six 
feet high, large but not corpulent, being not more 
than twenty one years of age. He is not very elegant 
in his form, his shoulders being broad and high, nor 
is there a perfect symmetry in his features, his fore- 
head is remarkably high, his nose large and long, 
eyebrows prominent and projecting over a fine ani- 
mated hazel eye. His countenance is interesting and 
impressive. He converses in broken English, and 
displays the manners and address of an accomplished 
gentleman. Considering him a French nobleman of 
distinguished character, and a great favorite of Gen- 
eral Washington, I felt myself highly honored by 
this interview.* 

December 15th. — At a settlement called Cherry 
Valley, about sixty miles above Albany, Colonel 
Alden, of Duxbury, Massachusetts, was stationed 
with about two hundred and fifty continental troops, 
to protect the inhabitants from the incursions of the 
frontier enemy. It is now announced, that a body 
consisting of about seven hundred Indians, tories and 
soldiers assaulted our party, massacred Colonel Alden, 
several of the inhabitants, men, women and children, 
and made prisoners of the lieutenant colonel and 
many of the inhabitants. The account states that 
one hundred and eighty of the surviving inhabitants 

* For the character of the Marqnis, see Appendix. 



MILITARY JOURNAL. 1778. 187 

had iieithcr liouse nor provisions, were almost naked 
and destitute of money to provide necessaries. 

Our division, commanded by General Putnam, 
marched according to general orders, from our eticamp- 
ment near Robinson's house 28th November ; arrived 
at King's ferry, twelve miles, and encamped ; 29th, 
crossed the North river in batteaux, and pitched our 
camp on the Jersey shore: 30th, marched twelve miles 
only, in a severe storm of snow and sleet, encamped 
near the small town of Kakiat. December 1st and 
2d, passed through Paramus and Aquackanock, twenty 
six miles. These towns are inhabited chiefly by 
Dutch people ; their churches and dwelling houses 
are built mostly of rough stone, one story high. There 
is a peculiar neatness in the appearance of their 
dwellings, having an airy piazza supported by pil- 
lars in front, and their kitchens connected at the 
ends in the form of wings. The land is remarkably 
level, and the soil fertile, and being generally ad- 
vantageously cultivated, the people appear to enjoy 
ease and happy competency. The furniture in their 
houses is of the most ordinary kind, and such as might 
be supposed to accord with the fashion of the days of 
Queen Ann. They despise the superfluities of life, 
and arc ambitious to appear always neat and cleanly, 
and never to complain of an empty purse. 

Pursued our route on the 3d, passed through 
Westfield, and part of Newark, a handsome village 
situated on a river of that name, which is navigable 
to New York, distance eight miles. In this village 
there is a public academy and several handsome 
churches. This is the garden of New Jersey, it is 
a most delightful country, uniformly level, and every 
acre abundantly productive. 4th, marched throtigh 
Springfield, a small but handsome English town. En- 
camped near the village of Scotch plains. Here we 
received orders by express from head quarters to 
halt, in consequence of some movement of the enemy 
in New York. 9th, ordered to resume our march. 



188 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

passed through Quibbletown, and the village of 
Middle brook. In this vicinity we are erecting log 
huts for our winter quarters. 

I called at a house with Colonel Gibson and other 
oflicers to view a phenomenon in the human form — 
a child that has grown to an enormous size at the 
age of seven years ; he measures three feet six inches 
round his breast, and three feet nine inches round 
his belly, his limbs and joints are proportionably 
large, and he weighs one hundred and thirty pounds. 
I was informed by the boy's mother that she dis- 
covered in him an extraordinary growth when two 
years old, since which he has increased very rapid- 
ly. He enjoys good health, and is not deficient in 
capacity. 

30th. — Our officers have not permitted the Christ- 
inas days to pass unnoticed, not a day without re- 
ceiving invitations to dine, nor a night without 
amusement and dancing. I dine to day with Gen- 
eral Muhlenburg. Our soldiers are constantly em- 
ployed in cutting down trees and building log huts 
for our winter's accommodation, and we are obliged 
to live in our uncomfortable tents till they can be 
completed. This is appropriated as a day of Thanks- 
giving throughout the state. Our brigade was pa- 
raded in the field to attend divine service. Dr. Bel- 
main, our chaplain, delivered a judicious sermon, 
well adapted to the occasion, adverting to the great 
cause in which we are engaged and enjoining a grate- 
ful reverence to the Almighty Ruler of the universe, 
and a faithful discharge of the duties incumbent on 
us in our several stations. 

January 1st, 1779. — Colonel Gibson made an en- 
tertainment and invited all the oflicers of his regi- 
ment to dine at his quarters in the country a short 
distance from camp. The table was amply furnished 
and the guests did not separate till evening, when 
we were requested to resort to General Muhlen- 
burg's quarters. Here we were introduced to a 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 189 

number of ladies assembled to unite with the gentle- 
men in the ball room ; a very elegant supper was 
provided and not one of the company was permitted 
to retire till three o'clock in the morning. Thus have 
the gallant Virginians commenced the new year. 

February. — Having continued to live under cover 
of canvass tents most of the winter, we have sufTercd 
extremely from exposure to cold and storms. Our 
soldiers have been employed six or eight weeks in 
constructing log huts, which at length are completed, 
and both oilicers and soldiers are now under comfort- 
able covering for the remainder of the winter. Log 
houses are constructed with the trunks of trees, cut 
into various lengths according to the size intended, 
and are firmly connected by notches cut at their 
extremities in the manner of dovetailing. The 
vacancies between the logs are filled in with plaster- 
ing consisting of mud and clay. The roof is formed 
of similar pieces of timber, and covered with hewn 
slabs. The chimney situated at one end of the house 
is made of similar but smaller timber, and both the 
inner and the outer side are covered with clay plaster, 
to defend the wood against the fire. The door and 
windows .ire formed by sawing away a part of the 
logs of a proper size, and move on wooden hinges. 
In this manner have our soldiers, without nails, and 
almost without tools, except the axe and saw, provid- 
ed for their officers and for themselves comfortable and 
convenient quarters, with little or no expense to the 
public. The huts are arranged in strait lines form- 
ing a regular uniform compact village. The officers' 
huts are situated in front of the line, according to 
their rank, the kitchens in the rear, and the whole 
is similar in form to a tent encampment. The ground 
for a considerable distance in front of the soldiers' 
line of huts is cleared of w'ood, stumps and rubbish, 
and is every morning swept clean for the purpose of 
a parade ground and roll call for the respective regi- 
menti. The officers' huts are in general divided 



190 MlLn AKY JOURNAL, 1779. 

into two apartments, and are occupied by three or 
four officers, who compose one mess. Those for the 
soldiers have but one room, and contain ten or twelve 
men, with their cabins placed one above another 
against the walls, and filled with straw, and one 
blanket for each man. I now occupy a hut with our 
field officers. Colonel Gibson, Lieutenant Colonel 
Brent, and Major Meriweather. 

Ath. — A duel has lately been fought between a 
surgeon and an adjutant in General Scott's brigade ; 
the former received a bad wound, and the latter 
escaped with honor. Who will hesitate, says one, to 
exchange a few shot with a friend to obtain the ap- 
pellation of a gentleman of honor ? If I kill ray an- 
tagonist I have the satisfaction of settling a point of 
honor ? If I receive a ball through my own heart, I 
die in the glorious cause of honor. "You have 
offended me in a delicate point," says an officer to 
his friend, " and I now demand of you the satisfac- 
tion of a gentleman, I have settled my affairs, and 
prepared myself to die, if that shall be my fate," — 
" then," replied the other, "' we cannot fight on equal 
terms, for I have not had time to do either." 

The anniversary of our alliance with France was 
celebrated in proper style a few days since near head 
quarters, at Pluckemin. A splendid entertainment 
was given by General Knox and the officers of artil- 
lery. General Washington, and his lady, with the 
principal officers of the army and their ladies, and 
a considerable number of respectable ladies and gen- 
tlemen of the state of New Jersey, formed the bril- 
liant assembly. About four o'clock sixteen cannon 
were discharged, and the company collected in a 
large public building to partake of an elegant din- 
ner. In the evening a very beautiful set of fire 
works was exhibited, and the celebration was con- 
cluded by a splendid ball opened by his Excellency 
General Washington, having for his partner the 
lady of General Knox. 



MILITARY JOUUXAL, 1779. l9l 

26///. — A party of tlie ci>cniy made an attempt 
yesterday to surprize our troops, stationed" at Eliza- 
l)ethto\vn, under the eonimaiid of General Maxwell, 
but the vigilance of the general ])revented their 
success. They sent a party to ca])ture Governor 
Livingston, of New Jersey, but in this attempt they 
were also frustrated. After burning and plundering 
a few houses, they returned to Staten Island, but 
were pui'sued by General Maxwell's brigade, which 
occasioned the loss of a few men on each side. 

His Excellency the Commander in Chief, has long 
been in the practice of inviting a certain number of 
officers to dine at his table every day. It is not to 
be supposed, that his Excellency can be made ac- 
quainted with every officer by name, but the invita- 
tions are given through the medium of general or- 
ders, in which is mentioned the brigade, from which 
the officer is expected. Yesterday I accompanied 
Major Cavil to head quarters, and had the honor of 
being numbered among the guests at the table of his 
Excellency, with his lady, two young ladies from Vir- 
ginia, the gentlemen who compose his family, and 
several other officers. 

It is natural to view with keen attention the coun- 
tenance of an illustrious man, with a secret hope of 
discovering in his features some peculiar traces of 
excellence, which distinguishes him from and ele- 
vates him above his fellow mortals. These expec- 
tations are realized in a peculiar manner, in view- 
ing the person of General Washington. His tall 
and noble stature and just proportions, his fine, 
cheerful open countenance, simple and modest de- 
portment, are all calculated to interest every beholder 
in his favor, and to command veneration and respect. 
He is feared even when silent, and beloved even 
while we are unconscious of the motive. The table 
was elegantly furnished, and the provisions ample but 
not abounding in superfluities. The civilities of the 
table were performed by Colonel Hamilton and the 



192 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

Other gentlemen of the family, the General and lady 
being seated at the side of the table. In conversa- 
tion, his Excellency's expressive countenance is 
peculiarly interesting and pleasing ; a placid smile is 
frequently observed on his lips, but a loud laugh, it 
is said, seldom if ever escapes him. He is polite 
and attentive to each individual at table, and retires 
after the compliments of a few glasses. Mrs. Wash- 
ington combines in an uncommon degree, great dig- 
nity of manner with the most pleasing affability, but 
possesses no striking marks of beauty. I learn from 
the Virginia officers, that Mrs. Washington has ever 
been honored as a lady of distinguished goodness, 
possessing all the virtues which adorn her sex, amia- 
ble in her temper and deportment, full of benignity, 
benevolence and charity, seeking for objects of afflic- 
tion and poverty, that she may extend to the suf- 
ferers the hand of kindness and relief. These surely 
are the attributes which reveal a heart replete with 
those virtues, which are so appropriate and estimable 
in the female character. 

April 13th. — We have passed a winter remarka- 
bly mild and moderate ; since the 10th of January, 
we have scarcely had a fall of snow, or a frost, and 
no severe weather. At the beginning of this month 
the weather was so mild that vegetation began to ap- 
pear ; the fruit trees were budded on the 1 st, and in 
full blossom on the 10th. In Virginia the peach trees 
were in blossom on the 14th of February, but a small 
frost since, has, it is feared, proved fatal to the fruit. 

14th. — I accompanied several gentlemen to the 
village of Middle brook, where a number of horses 
were offered for sale ; I purchased a handsome young 
bay for 600 dollars. This shows the depreciated 
value of the paper money, which we receive for 
pay ; the horse could not be valued at more than 80 
dollars in silver. 

16//^ — The officers of our regiment provided a 
genteel entertainment, and invited Generals Wood- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 193 

ford, Smallwood. and Muhlenburg, with all the officers 
of the Virginia line, as our guests. Our table was 
furnished with an ample variety of dishes, and the 
choicest liquors that could be procured. 

20th. — Five soldiers were conducted to the gal- 
lows according to their sentence, for the crimes of 
desertion and robbing the inhabitants. A detach- 
ment of troops and a concourse of people, formed 
a circle round the gallows, and the criminals were 
brought in a cart, sitting on their coffins, and halters 
about their necks. While in this awful situation, 
trembling on the vei-ge of eternity, three of them 
received a pardon from the Commander in Chief, who 
is always tenderly disposed to spare the lives of his sol- 
diers. They acknowledged the justice of their sen- 
tence, and expressed the warmest thankfidness and 
gratitude for their merciful pardon. The two others 
were o])liged to submit to their fate ; one of them was 
accompanied to the fatal spot by an affectionate and 
sympathizing brother, which rendered the scene un- 
commonly distressing, and forced tears of compassion 
from the eyes of numerous spectators. They repeat- 
edly embraced and kissed each other, with all the 
fervor of brotherly love, and would not be separated 
till the executioner was obliged to perform his duty, 
when, with a flood of tears, and mournful lamenta- 
tions, they bade each other an eternal adieu — the 
criminal, trembling under the horrors of an untimely 
and disgraceful death, — and the brother, overwhelm- 
ed with sorrow and anguish, for one whom he held 
most dear. 

May I St. — Thirteen cannon have just announced 
the arrival of M. Gerard, the French minister, and 
a gentleman of distinction from Spain, by the name 
of Don Juan de Mirrilliars ; and preparations are 
making to afford these foreign gentlemen an oppor- 
tunity of reviewing our army. 

2d. — The whole of our army in this quarter was 
paraded in martial array in a spacious field, and a 
25 



194 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

stage was erected for the accommodation of the ladies 
and gentlemen spectators. At tlie signal of thirteen 
cannon, the great and splendid cavalcade approached 
in martial pomp and style. A very beautiful troop 
of light horse, commanded by Major Lee, a Virgi- 
nian, marched in front, then followed his Excellency 
the Commander in Chief and his aids de camp, next 
the foreign ministers and their retinue, and the gen- 
eral officers of our army and their aids, closed the 
procession. Having arrived on the field of parade, 
the Commander in Chief, with the foreign ministers, 
and general officers, passed in front of the line of the 
army, from right to left, in review, and received the 
military honors due to their rank ; after which the 
gentlemen dismounted and retired to the stage, and 
took seats with Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Greene, 
Mrs. Knox, and a number of other ladies who had 
arrived in their carriages. The army then perform- 
ed the field manceuvres and evolutions, with firing 
of cannon and musketry. The business of the day 
was closed by the troops displaying, and marching in 
front of the stage, and paying the marching salute to 
their Excellencies. The whole performance was 
conducted with such marked regularity and preci- 
sion, as to reflect great honor on the character of our 
army, and afford the Commander in Chief, and the 
spectators, the highest degree of satisfaction. On this 
occasion we cannot but pride ourselves on the con- 
spicuous figure exhibited by our Commander in Chief. 
While mounted on his noble bay charger, his stature 
appears remarkable, and being a good horseman, he 
displays a lofty carriage, and benign dignity of de- 
meanor, and I hope not to incur the charge of undue 
partiality, when I say, his appearance was incom- 
parably more majestic and dignified than either of his 
illustrious visitors. 

lAth. — Our brigade was paraded for the purpose 
of being reviewed by General Washington and a 
number of Indian chiefs. His Excellency, with his 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 195 

usual dignity, followed by his mulatto servant Bill, 
riding a beautiful grey steed, passed in front of the 
line and received the salute. He was accompanied 
by a singular group of savages, whose appearanpe 
was beyo!id de cription ludicrous. Their horees 
were of the meanest kind, some of them destitute of 
saddles, and old lines were used for bridles. Tlieir 
pei-sonal decorations were equally farcical, having 
their faces painted of various colors, jewels suspend- 
ed from their ears and nose, their heads without cov- 
ering except tufts of hair on the crown, and some of 
them wore dirty blankets over their shoulders waving 
in the wind. In short, they exhibited a novel and 
truly disgusting spectacle. But his Excellency deems 
it good policy to pay some attention to this tribe of 
the wilderness, and to convince them of the strength 
and discipli)ie of our army, that they may be en- 
couraged, if disposed to be friendly, or deterred from 
aggression, if they should become hostile to our coun- 
try. 

2^th. — The Baron Steuben reviewed and inspect- 
ed our brigade. The troops were paraded in a 
single line with shouldered arms, every officer in his 
particular station. The Baron first reviewed the 
line in this position, passing in front with a scruti- 
nizing eye, after which he took into his hand the mus- 
kets and accoutrements of every soldier, examining 
them with particidar accuracy and precision, ap- 
plauding or condemning, according to the condition 
in which he found them. He required that the mus- 
ket and bayonet should exhibit the brightest polish ; 
not a spot of rust, or defect in any part, could elude 
his vigilance. He inquired also into the conduct of 
the officers towards their men, censuring every fault 
and applauding every meritorious action. Next he 
required of me, as surgeon, a list of the sick, with a 
particular statement of their accommodations and mode 
of treatment, and even visited some of the sick in their 
cabins. The Baron has sustained the office of aid 



196 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

de camp to his Majesty the King of Prussia, and is 
now Inspector General with the rank of Major Gen- 
eral in our army. He appears to be about fifty years 
of age, and is venerable and dignified in his deport- 
ment, rich and elegant in dress, having a splendid 
medal of gold and diamonds designating the order of 
fidelity, suspended at his breast. He is held ifi uni- 
versal respect, and considered as a valuable acquisi- 
tion to our country. He is distinguished for his 
profound knowledge of tactics, his ability to reform 
and discipline an army — for his affectionate attach- 
ment to a good and faithful soldier, and his utter 
aversion to every appearance of insubordination and 
neglect of duty. The continental army has improv- 
ed with great rapidity under his inspection and re- 
view. 

30^^. — Dined with Major Storer, at his quarters 
in the country. Spent a few hours at General St. 
Clair's quarters, with Dr. McKinzie and Major Dunn, 
and called on Colonel Scammel at the Adjutant Gen- 
eral's office. 

June 10th. — Smith's Clove is a fine level plain 
of rich land, situated at the foot of the high moun- 
tains on the west side of Hudson river. It is about 
fourteen miles in the rear of the garrison at West 
Point, and surrounded on all sides by the high lands. 
The few families who reside here find a printable em- 
ployment in cultivating the fertile soil. Our brigade 
marched from quarters at Middle brook on the 2d 
instant, and arrived at Morristown, where we receiv- 
ed orders to leave all our heavy baggage, and pro- 
ceed with all possible expedition, as the enemy was 
advancing towards West Point. Marched rapidly 
through Troy, Pompton and Ringwood, and on the 
7th instant, encamped in the Clove. By a number 
of deserters from the enemy, information has been 
received, that the greater part of the British army is 
advancing, and is now near King's ferry, only thirteen 
miles below West Point ; and that part of their fleet 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 197 

is proceeding up the river : their object is supposed 
to be the garrison at West Point. For the security 
of this very important post, General Washington has 
arranged his army as follows. Three divisions con- 
sisting of the Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania 
troops, commanded by Major Generals Lord Stirling, 
Baron de Kalb, and Major General St. Clair, form 
the riu;iit wing, and is commanded by General 
Putnam as the senior Major General, and posted 
at Smith's Clove. All the New England troops, in- 
cluding the militia, compose the left wing, and are 
so distributed at West Point and its vicinity, on the 
east side of the river, as to guard all the passes 
leading to the garrison. Our army thus posted is 
supposed to be adequate to the defence of the garri- 
son against all the force which the enemy can bring 
in array against it ; and such is the confidence among 
our officers, that many of them express a strong 
desire that the royal troops would afford an oppor- 
tunity to try our strength and courage. Should this 
be the event, the struggle must indeed be violent, 
and the slaughter immense. The British commander 
however, not deeming it prudent to hazard a battle, 
after a few days retired to New York. 

\2th. — ^Two officers of our regiment have just had 
occasion to adjust an affair of honor. Captain E. 
had given offence to Captain H. and a challenge en- 
sued. Captain E. was well apprized that if the ball 
from the pistol of his antagonist should pass through 
his heart, it would produce immediate death, of 
course it was most prudent to decline the hazardous 
combat. But the consequence is, he subjected him- 
self to a contest of a less honorable nature. His 
antagonist inflicted the chastisement of the horse 
whip. This he supported with wonderful fortitude 
and magnanimity ; apprehending probably, that pow- 
der and ball might prove more disastrous than the 
chastisement which he had received. But his brother 
officers treated him with contempt, and threatened 



198 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

to hoot him out of camp. There is a kind of me- 
chanical courage excited by the necessity of the 
occasion, which may push a coward to venture on an 
act of heroism. This fact was now exemplified, for 
Captain E. reduced to the alternative of retrieving 
his character in a spirited manner, or of quitting the 
army in disgrace, came to the desperate resolution 
of deciding his fate by facing his bold antagonist 
in single combat. The usual arrangements being 
made, my services as surgeon were held in requisi- 
tion. Tile parties took their stand at ten paces, and 
each discharged his pistol. But behold, a harmless 
explosion, no blood shed, not even a hair of their 
heads injured. But the combatants conducted like 
gentlemen of honor, of course harmony and mutual 
friendship were restored. Captain E. has the best 
cause of triumph, for he has rescued his character 
from the stigma of paltroon, to an honorable standing 
among the gentlemen oflicers. 

14:th. — I rode with Major Meriweather to West 
Point ; took our route through the woods over 
abrupt and rocky mountains, almost impassable for 
our horses. Spent an hour at General Parsons's 
head quarters, then crossed the North river to Fish- 
kill. The next day we recrossed at Fishkill land- 
ing, and rode to New Windsor, thence we visited 
ray friend Colonel Malcom at his seat fourteen miles 
in the country. This gentleman, having resigned 
his office in the army, is beautifully situated on a 
farm west of the Hudson, retired from the bustle of 
war, and devoted to domestic affairs and rural enjoy- 
ments. We spent the night with this agreeable 
family, and Mrs. Malcom received, in the evening, 
the visits of a number of ladies and gentlemen. We 
returned to our camp the next morning, and found 
the brigade under marching orders. 

\Qith. — We marched from Smith's Clove through 
a thick wilderness, and over the prodigious high 
land mountains. My curiosity Avas excited by a 



MILITAllY JOURNAL, 1779. 199 

vast number of huge rocks, marked with fissures 
and cavities, occasioned by some stupendous power 
beyond our comprehension. These, witli various 
brooks, winding in every direction, among rude clit'ts 
and precipices, allbrd a singular and romantic land- 
scape. Our path was narrow and rugged, and 
probably will not again be traversed but by savages 
and wild beasts. We arrived here in the eveniiig, 
without our baggage, and were obliged to seek lodg- 
ings among our IViends. The next day dined with 
Dr. I. Thomas, and accompanined him to General 
Pattei'son's quariers, where we spent the evening, 
and I was introduced to IVIajor Haskill, aid de camp 
to General Patterson. He is a native of Rochester, 
and Dr. Thomas of Plymouth, Massachusetts. 

20th. — I have lately been favored with a letter 
from my friend Dr. D. Townsend, who is a surgeon 
in the military hospital at Providence, state of Rhode 
Island. He invites me to accept of the ofllce of 
surgeon to the Massachusetts regiment commanded 
by Colonel Henry Jackson, which is now stationed 
at that place. My principal inducement to ex- 
change my present station, for the proposed new ap- 
pointment, is, that Colonel Jackson and all his officers 
are from my native state, and there is a prospect of 
receiving some compensation in clothing and other 
articles to which I could have no claim while serving 
in the Virginia line. It is proper, and on many 
accounts convenient, that officers should serve in the 
line of their own state ; and tliough I have enjoyed 
the most friendly intercourse, and numerous kind 
favors from the Virginians, yet I cannot but prefer 
the manners and habits of the New Englanders. 

2\st. — The officers of our regiment invited a 
select number of officers of the Pennsylvania line to 
dine on sturgeon, a large fish which . Major Meri- 
weather caught in the North river. This fish is a 
favorite with the Dutch, at Albany, and is on that 
account by some called Albany beef ; but in my view 



200 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

it is worse than horse beef, and it was merely an 
auxiliary at our table. 

2^th. — I have just had the satisfaction, with a num- 
ber of gentlemen, of viewing a remarkably large 
fat ox, which has been presented by some gentlemen 
in Connecticut, to his Excellency General Washing- 
ton. He is six feet seven inches high, and weighs 
on the hoof three thousand five hundred pounds, the 
largest animal I ever beheld. 

Having resolved to resign my commission in Colo- 
nel Gibson's regiment, I shall in a few days com- 
mence my journey to Providence, and join the regi- 
ment commanded by Colonel H. Jackson. Colonel 
Gibson has favored me with a complimentary certi- 
ficate of my services. It is with sincere regret that 
I bid adieu to those associates, for whom I have a 
strong attachment. 

July 1st. — Engaged to spend this evening with 
General Patterson, and Dr. Crowell, and to breakfast 
with the Reverend Mr. Avery and Mr. Hitchcock, 
and shall immediately set off for Providence, in com- 
pany with Dr. Skinner. 

I left West Point, in company with Dr. Skinner, 
on the 2d instant, and on the 3d, arrived at Crom- 
pond, where my favorite young horse was seized with 
the horse distemper, and I was put to the cruel ne- 
cessity of disposing of him for not one half his real 
value. Pursued our journey through Litchfield and 
Farmington, in Connecticut, and the next day reach- 
ed Hartford, a well built handsome town on Connec- 
ticut river, and the capital of that state. Having 
crossed over to East Hartford, we found the whole 
country in a state of alarm in consequence of the 
enemy's having landed at New Haven, and their 
committing depredations among the inhabitants. A 
spirit of revenge seemed to pervade the whole coun- 
try, and the militia were marching from all quarters 
to encounter and arrest the progress of the invading 
foe. We passed through Windham, and arrived 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 201 

^t this place on tl»e 8th instant. Here I liad an in- 
terview with my old friends Drs. Brown and Town- 
send, surgeons of the hospital. I was by Dr .Townsend 
introduced to Colonel Jackson, and his ofiicers, and 
I commenced my duty by visiting the sick soldiers 
of the regiment. The field officers of this regiment 
are Colonel Henry Jackson, Lieutenant Colonel David 
Cobb, and Major Leiiiuel Trescott. It is now learnt 
that the party of the enemy that landed at New 
Haven, was commanded by Governor Tryon, and 
consisted of three thousand men. They met with 
a powerful resistance from the militia, which occa- 
sioned skirmishing, and a consideralde loss on each 
side. After plundering the inhabitants of Fairfield 
and Norwalk, they maliciously destroyed both these 
flourishing towns, with their houses of religious wor- 
ship, by a general conflagration. 

13^^. — Dined with Colonel Jackson, and in the 
afternoon rode with Major Trescott to Pawtuxet, 
a very pleasant ride of about five miles. 

215'/. — By express from General Washington to 
General Gate;?, we are informed of a glorious victory, 
which a detachment of our army, commanded by the 
intrepid General Wayne, obtained over t!ie enemy at 
Stony point, situated on the banks of the North 
river. In consequence of this intelligence thirteen 
cannon have been fired at the several posts in this 
department. Extract from General Gates' orders. 

Providence, July 2\st, 1779. 
^^ The General congratulates the army on the 
glorious success of Brigadier General Wayne, and 
the gallant troops under his command, in taking by 
assault the enemy's fortified post at Stony point, and 
with the point of the bayonet alone, forcing the gar- 
rison to surrender at discretion, not one man escap- 
ing. This signal and brilliant victory was gained 
with the loss of but fifteen men killed, and the gen- 
eral and eighty three wounded, while on the part 
26 



302 MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1779. 

of the enemy, five hundred soldiers and twenty 
oflicers were killed, wounded and taken prisoners, 
with all their cannon, arms, military stores and pro- 
visions." 

^Oth. — Dined at liead quarters with a number of 
gentlemen, was introduced to General Gates by Dr. 
Brown. General Gates is the commander in chief 
in this department ; his capture of General Bur- 
goyne at Saratoga, in 1777, has given him eclat and 
popularity as a brave and skilful warrior. He dis- 
plays the complaisant manners of a gentleman ; in con- 
versation he is affable and interesting, but appears 
better versed in military tactics than in subjects 
appertaining to general science. He adopted the 
profession of arms in his early days, and his prowess 
and valor, as well as his zeal and partiality for our 
country, are incontestably established. 

Congress have recently passed the following re- 
solve in favor of an American heroine : '^ that Mar- 
garet Corbin, who was wounded and disabled at the 
attack of Fort Washington, whilst she heroically filled 
the post of her husband, who was killed by her side, 
serving a piece of artillery, do receive during her 
natural life, or the continuance of the said disability, 
the one half of the monthly pay drawn by a soldier 
in the service of these states ; and that she now 
receive, out of the public stores, one complete suit of 
clothes, or the value thereof in money.*' 

Mr. T. an ensign in our regiment, has for some 
time discovered symptoms of mental derangement. 
He is frequently strolling abroad, and amusing people 
with his wit and humor, or arresting attention by his 
solemn appeals to the Deity. Yesterday he intruded 
himself at General Gates' head quarters, and after 
some amusing convei'sation, he put himself in the atti- 
tude of devotion, and prayed that God would pardon 
General Gates for endeavoring to supersede that god- 
like man Washington. The General appeared to be 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 203 

much disturbed, and directed Mr. Pierce, his aid de 
camp, to take him away. Whether this address pro- 
voked in the General a consciousness of the fact is 
uncertain, but the subject is of such a delicate nature 
that no man in his sober senses would have broached 
it to him. 

August — The British a few weeks since detached 
a force from Halifax, and established a post on Penob- 
scot river, in the Province of Maine. Their force 
is supposed to consist of about one thousand men, 
under command of Brigadier General Maclean, with 
several armed vessels, which occupy the river. This 
invasion of our territory has excited the greatest in- 
dignation, and all classes of people are burning with 
an ardent desire of revenge. The General Court of 
Massachusetts have planned an expedition, for the 
purpose of driving the invading foe from our shores. 
Such was their zeal and confidence of success, that 
it is said the General Court neither consulted any 
experienced military character, nor desired the assis- 
tance of any continental troops on this important 
enterprize. Thus taking on themselves the undivid- 
ed responsibility, and reserving for their own heads, 
all the laurels to be derived from the anticipated 
conquest. They drafted one thousand five hundred 
militia, and appointed General Lovell, who acquired 
some reputation on Rhode Island, under General 
Sullivan, the last year, to command the expedition. 
They obtained of Congress the loan of the United 
States frigate Warren, of thirty two guns, and with 
an unprecedented spirit of enterprize and industry, 
no less than nineteen continental, state, and private 
ships, and more than twenty transports, were spee- 
dily equipped and prepared to co-operate with the 
land forces destined for this service. With a lauda- 
ble spirit of patriotism, and animated by tlie flatter- 
ing prospect of success, thirty masters of merchant 
vessels in Newburyport, honorably volunteered their 
services as common seamen. Captain Saltonstall was 



204 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

appointed commodore of the fleet, and took his 
station on board the Warren frigate. This combined 
force sailed about the 20th of July on their destined 
service, but having some reason to apprehend a 
failure of their enterprize, the General Court have 
applied to General Gates for permission for Colonel 
Jackson's regiment to reinforce General Lovell, to 
which he has assented, and we are accordingly under 
marching orders. 

Colonel Henry Jackson, who commands our regi- 
ment, is a native of Boston ; he is very respectable as 
a commander, is gentlemanly in his manners, strongly 
attached to military affairs, and takes a peculiar pride 
in the discipline and martial appearance of his regi- 
ment. Many of his officers are from Boston and its 
vicinity, they appear in handsome style, and are am- 
bitious to display their taste for military life, and 
their zeal to contend with the enemies of their coun- 
try. Colonel Jackson, with his regiment, acquired 
reputation by their gallantry in the battle on Rhode 
Island, under General Sullivan. Our regiment con- 
sists of about four hundred men, in complete uniform, 
well disciplined, and not inferior to any in the con- 
tinental army. We commenced a forced march from 
Providence on the lOthj and completed the forty 
miles in twenty four hours. A severe rain all night 
did not much impede our march, but the troops were 
broken down with fatigue. We reached Boston neck 
at sun rising, and near the entrance of the neck is 
a tavern having for its sign a representation of a 
globe, with a man in the act of struggling to get 
through it ; his head and shoulders were out, his 
arms extended, and the rest of his body enclosed in 
the globe. On a label from his mouth was written, 
*' Oh ! how shall I get through this world ?" This was 
read by the soldiers, and one of them exclaimed, 
*' list, d — n you, list, and you will soon get through 
this world, our regiment will all he through it in an 
hour or two, if we don't halt by the way." 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 205 

"We are treated by the gentlemen of this town 
with great attention and respect. They have gen- 
erously presented to Colonel Jackson and the oJBicers 
of his regiment a hogshead of Jamaica spirits, and a 
cask of wine. For the soldiers they have collected 
a liberal sum of money, which is distributed among 
them. A public dinner is to be provided at the 
Bunch of Grapes tavern for the officers, before our 
departure. The transports are in preparation to 
receive our troops on board. 

On the 14th, our regiment marched through the 
town to the Long wharf, and embarked on board the 
transports, receiving as we passed through King 
street the cheers of the inhabitants. After the regi- 
ment had embarked, the officers, according to previ- 
ous arrangement, returned to the Bunch of Grapes 
tavern, where a liberal and elegant entertainment 
had been provided, and where we were politely 
received by a number of respectable gentlemen of 
the town. Having dined and enjoyed a number of 
songs over the cheering glass, wishing success to the 
Penobscot expedition, we repaired on board our 
respective transports, awaiting a fair wind for our 
voyage. Our transports are the Rising Empire, a 
brig cai'rying eight guns, two sloops, and one schooner. 
Our convoy is the ship Renown, of fourteen guns, and 
a brig of sixteen guns. About four o'clock on the 
15th instant, the Renown, our convoy, fired her signal 
guns for sailing, on which our little fleet weighed 
anchor, and after giving three cheers, which were 
returned by a concourse of people on the wharves, 
and by a French ship in the harbor, we sailed after 
our convoy, but dropped anchor near Castle William, 
by reason of contrary wind. 

nth. — In the evening we obeyed the signal guns, 
and were beating against contrary wind off Cape Ann 
till the 19th, when we fell in with a small boat, off 
the Isle of Shoals, which had been despatched with 
the unwelcome intelligence tjhat our fleet at Penob- 



206 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

scot had been attacked by the British, and was totally 
defeated and destroyed, and that our land forces 
under General Lovell, were also entirely defeated, and 
dispersed. Orders were received for our fleet to put 
into Portsmouth harbor, for safety, as several British 
ships were supposed to be in pursuit of us. 

2lsL — Our regiment disembarked and encamped 
at Kittery ; being Sunday, I accompanied several 
of our officers to the Reverend Mr. Hemmenway's 
church ; he is a sensible and animating preaclier, dis- 
playing considerable eloquence, and much 07'thodoxy. 
In his fervent prayers he was not forgetful of the 
calamities of war, and the righteous cause in which 
we are engaged. Here we have a confirmation of 
the unfortunate failure of the Penobscot expedition, 
which is a source, not only of universal regret, but of 
infinite chagrin, and mortification, among all who had 
been concerned in the plan. 

August. — Having received orders to march to Fal- 
mouth, (now Portland,) left Kittery on the 23d instant, 
and on the 27th, entered this town in martial order, and 
were received with marks of the greatest joy and sat- 
isfaction, as the inhabitants were under serious appre- 
hensions of a visit from the British. We behold here 
only the relics of a town, which a few years since 
was very respectable and flourishing. It was the 
capital of the Province of Maine, and enjoyed the hap- 
py prospect of becoming one of the most important 
seaports in New England. But in October, 1775, 
the inhabitants opposed the lading of a British vessel 
with ship timber, which so enraged Admiral Graves, 
that he sent Captain MowaU with several sliips of 
war, demanding of the inhabitants to deliver up all 
their artillery and small arms. On refusal to comply 
with this demand, the enemy opened a severe can- 
nonade, which soon set fire to the town, and no less 
than four hundred and eight houses, stores and other 
buildings, were consumed to ashes. A large number 
of seamen and mariners were landed, but the people 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 207 

having collected in considerable force, compelled the 
enemy to retreat to their boats, witli the loss of several 
men. 

By several gentlemen just returned from Penob- 
scot, I have obtained the following particulars re- 
specting the failure of the expedition. On the arrival 
of General Lovell, instead of one thousand five hun- 
dred militia, nine hundred only could be collected ; it 
was resolved however, in a council of war, to make 
an attempt to achieve the object of the expedition ; 
accordingly, on the 28th of July, the militia with 
about three hundred marines were disembarked, and 
soon effected a landing under a height which rose 
almost perpendicularly from the banks of the river, 
on the summit of which, the enemy's advanced guard 
was posted under cover of a wood. Our militia 
were opposed by about an equal number of the enemy, 
whom they bravely encountered and drove within 
their works ; but we suffered a loss of several officers 
of merit, and about one hundred of the militia and 
marines were killed and wounded. It now became 
a subject of consideration, whether it w^as expedient 
to storm the enemy's principal works, but in a coun- 
cil it was decided that our force was inadequate to 
the object. It was at this juncture supposed that by 
a vigorous co-operation of our navy, a complete vic- 
tory might have been obtained, and the most urgent 
and pressing entreaties were made to Commodore 
Saltonstall for the purpose, but he declined, and con- 
tinued in a state of pusillanimous inactivity, thereby 
proclaiming himself totally incompetent to the impor- 
tant trust with which, most unfortunately, he had been 
invested. 

On the 14th instant, Sir George Collier, with a 
sixty four gun ship, and five frigates, arrived from 
New York. General Lovell, on receiving this intel- 
ligence, ordered all his troops, with the artillery and 
baggage, to be embarked on board the transports, 
which with our whole fleet moved up the Penobscot 



'*08 MILITARY JOURNAL;, 1779. 

riv ei\ pui"sued by the British. On the near approach 
of the enemy, our vessels were abandoned ; two of 
them fell into the hands of the enemy, the remainder 
were burnt and blown up. General Lovell and 
General Peleg Wadsworth, the second in command, 
both of whom have the reputation of brave men, now 
dispensed with all command of the troops, as did 
Saltonstall of the seamen. The soldiers separated 
from their officers, and every individual was seeking 
his own safety, wandering in the wilderness, suffering 
fatigue, hunger, and vexation, till after much difficulty 
they reached the settlements on the Kennebec ; a few 
of their number indeed actually perished in the wil- 
derness. Thus disgracefully has ended the famous 
Penobscot expedition, which, had a competent force 
been provided, might have terminated to the glory of 
Massachusetts. Those concerned in the plan or its 
execution, a few individuals excepted, were publicly 
execrated. The expense attending the expedition is 
immense. The fleet was invaluable, and its loss is 
altogether irreparable. It was extremely fortunate 
for our regiment that we were detained two or three 
days on our passage by contrary winds ; had there 
been no impediment to our voyage, we must inevita- 
bly have fallen into the hands of the enemy. 

September 3d. — Two armed vessels, accompanied 
by two others, being perceived approaching this har- 
bor, excited a great degree of consternation among 
the inhabitants, but it was soon ascertained to be our 
two continental frigates, the Boston, and the Dean, 
returning from a cruise with two prizes of very con- 
siderable value, and having on board two hundred 
soldiers for the British army, and stores and goods to 
a large amount. 

The inhabitants of this town have shown us nume- 
rous marks of respect and generous hospitality. A 
respectable committee of the town have invited our 
officers to a tavern to partake of a treat of punch 
and wine, in company with a number of respectable 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 209 

inhabitants, and we experience many other polite 
civilities, indicating a disposition to contribute to the 
comfort and happiness of those who are serving the 
great cause of our common country. Orders are now 
received from General Gates for our regiment to re- 
turn immediately to Boston. 

Commenced our march from Falmouth, on the 7th 
instant, passed through Scarborough, Kennebunk and 
York, to Portsmouth, in New Hampshire. At York, 
all the officers of our regiment were politely invited, 
to an elegant breakfast, with the genteel and hospi- 
table family of Mr. Sewall. Having crossed the ferry 
at Portsmouth, on the 10th, we encamped on the com- 
mon. A number of gentlemen of this town treated 
us with buckets of punch at the ferry way, and as we 
passed through the streets. This attention was ex- 
tremely grateful during the heat and fatigue of the 
day. We had the satisfiiction of visiting the seventy 
four gun ship on the stocks near this town, — she will 
be ready for sea in June next. This is the first 
seventy four ever built in America. On the 12th 
crossed the ferry at Newbury, and marched to Ips- 
wich Hamlet, passing through Salem, we reached 
Cambridge on the 14th, and encamped on the com- 
mon. Accompanied a number of ladies and gentle- 
men to view the colleges, and were admitted to the 
library room and museum. From Cambridge we 
marched to Dorchester point, where we embarked in 
boats, crossed over to the castle and encamped. On 
the 18th went with Colonel Jackson to Boston to 
attend the funeral of a Mr. Deshon, a brother mason. 
A procession of one hundred and twenty of the breth- 
ren preceded the corpse, and added greatly to the 
solemnity of the occasion. 

Walking in the street, I met with James Otis, Esq. 
He has for some time labored under an unhappy men- 
tal derangement. I had no expectation that I should 
be recognized by him, but he accosted me in a very 
familiar manner by my christian name, and inquired 
27 



210 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

about my connexions. He was inquisitive respect- 
ing the affairs of the army, and wished to be in- 
formed whether I had on any occasion been ex- 
posed to personal danger, and whether my courage 
had failed me. A friend related to me the following 
anecdote, which he received from 0. W. Esq. who 
was present on the occasion. Mr, Otis invited seve- 
ral respectable gentlemen to dinner ; in carving at 
table, he observed a fish not sufficiently boiled, which 
drew from him some expressions of disapprobation. 
His lady retorted with an air of ill humor. Mr. 
Otis, wishing to avoid altercation, waved his rebuke 
till dinner was finished, when he rendered thanks to 
God, that among other favors, the guests had escaped 
the danger of having their noses snapped off at table. 
A particular account of the brilliant achievement in 
the capture of the fortress at Stony point, by General 
Wayne, has been obtained. Stony point is a strongly 
fortified post on the west bank of the Hudson, near 
King's ferry. The possession of this post is of vast im- 
portance to either army, as it completely commands 
the great road, and the ferry way which affords com- 
munication between the middle and eastern states. 
This fortress has lately been visited by Sir Henry 
Clinton in pei'son, and by his orders strengthened and 
rendered, as supposed, entirely defensible. General 
Washington was extremely desirous to dislodge the 
enemy from this position, and to Brigadier General 
Wayne he intrusted the hazardous enterprize. At 
the head of his detachment of light infantry, consist- 
ing of one thousand two hundred, he marched about 
fourteen miles, reached the vicinity of the fort at 
eleven o'clock in the evening of July the 16th, and 
instantly prepared for the assault. He peremptorily 
ordered that every man should advance in silence 
with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets. A sol- 
dier disobeyed this order, and began to load his 
piece, the order was repeated, and he persisted in 
the resolution to load, on which an officer instantly run 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 211 

him through the body with his sword. On no occasion 
is a strict obedience to orders more indispensable 
than at this critical moment ; had a single gun been 
fired, the victory might have been lost, or the slaugh- 
ter have been immense. The plan being adjusted, 
one hundred and fifty volunteers under Lieutenant 
Colonel Fleury, a French gentleman, formed the van of 
the right column, and one hundred volunteers, under 
Major Stuart, composed the van of the left column, each 
of which was preceded by a forlorn hope, of twenty 
picked men, commanded by Lieutenants Gibbon and 
Knox, for the express purpose of removing the abbatis 
and other obstructions. At about twenty minutes 
after twelve, the columns advanced to the assault, and 
such was the impetuosity of the troops, that in the 
face of a most tremendous and incessant fire of mus- 
ketry and cannon, loaded with grape shot, they forc- 
ed their way at the point of the bayonet, surmounted 
every obstacle, and both columns met in the centre 
of the enemy's works nearly at the same instant. 
Colonel Fleury first entered the fort, and struck their 
standard with his own hand. Major Posey was the 
first to give the watch word, '' The fort's our own." 
General Wayne, in his letter to the Commander in 
Chief, extols highly the brave conduct of his officers 
and men, and particularizes Lieutenant Colonel Fleury, 
Major Stuart, Colonels Butler, Hull, Meigs and 
Febiger, for their exemplary valor and intrepidity. 
Lieutenant Colonel Hay was wounded in the thigh, 
while fighting with firmness in the heat of the action. 
General Wayne himself received a slight wound in 
his head, but, supported by his aids, he entered the 
fort with the troops. The truly brave are ever am- 
bitious of distinguishing themselves, by a nice ob- 
servance of the laws of humanity and generosity, 
towards the conquered foe. It is highly creditable 
to our troops, that they conducted towards the pri- 
soners with a humane forbearance, which is directly 
the reverse of the conduct of the British on too many 



213 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

similar occasions ; they disdained to take the lives of 
those who were in their power, and calling for mercy ; 
not an individual suffered after their surrender, and 
this will account for the few of the enemy killed on 
this occasion ; being about one hundred killed and 
wounded. The continentals had fifteen killed and 
eighty three wounded. The number of prisoners was 
five hundred and forty three. Colonel Johnson, com- 
mander of the fort, and several other officers, were 
among the number. It is remarkable that out of the 
twenty men who formed the forlorn hope, under Lieu- 
tenant Gibbon, seventeen were killed or wounded. 

General Washington's letter to Congress, applauds 
the conduct of all the officers and men ; but he 
names particular officers whose situation placed them 
foremost in danger, which rendered their conduct more 
conspicuous. Lieutenants Gibbon and Knox, he ob- 
serves, who commanded the advanced parties, or 
forlorn hope, acquitted themselves as well as it was 
possible. With respect to General Wayne, he ob- 
serves, "that his conduct throughout the whole of 
this arduous enterprize, merits the warmest appro- 
bation of Congress ; he improved on the plan recom- 
mended by me, and executed it in a manner that 
does signal honor to his judgment, and to his 
bravery. In a critical moment of the assault, he re- 
ceived a flesh wound in the head, with a musket ball, 
but continued leading on his men, with unshaken firm- 
ness." His Excellency informed Congress, that two 
flags and two standards were taken, the former be- 
longing to the garrison, the latter to the 17th regi- 
ment. Lieutenant Colonel Hull, at the head of four 
hundred light infantry, displayed a noble gallantry, 
for which he received the thanks of General Wayne 
and of Washington. 

As distinguishing marks of approbation. Congress 
directed that a gold medal emblematical of the ac- 
tion, be presented to l^rigadier General Wayne, and 
a silver one to Lieutenant Colonel Fleury and Major 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 213 

Stuart, and brevets of Captain given to Lieutenants 
Gibbon and Knox, and that the value of the military 
stores taken, should be divided among the gallant 
troops who reduced Stony point, in such a manner as 
the Commander in Chief should prescribe. 

The fortifications at Paulus hook, on the west side 
of North river, opposite New York city, was taken 
by Major Lee of the horse. The garrison made a 
faint resistance and surrendered. Major Souther- 
land and about fifteen of his men, escaped to a small 
block house. The approach of day, and the vicinity 
of the main body of the enemy, made it impossi- 
ble to bring off any stores. The continentals had 
possession of all the artillery and magazine; the 
prisoners were one hundred and thirty four rank 
and file, and seven ofiicers ; about forty were killed. 
Major Lee's loss is said to be very few in killed and 
wounded ; four only is the number mentioned. 

According to orders from General Gates, our 
regiment left Castle William on the 26th, and ar- 
rived at Providence on the 28th instant, and en- 
camped at Fox's point. Sunday I rode with several 
officers to Pawtuxet, to attend the religious services 
of the celebrated Mr. Murray, whose professed doc- 
trine is the universal salvation of mankind. Mr. 
Murray is not admitted into the pulpits of the ortho- 
dox clergy ; his peculiar sentiments are revolting to 
the consciences, and repugnant to the belief of a 
large proportion of the people of New England, In 
this village the people are destitute of an ordained 
minister. The audience was numerous, and the 
preacher peculiarly eloquent; freely and solemnly 
declaring the sentiments which he has adopted, and 
quoting various portions of scripture, to enforce a 
belief in the opinion which his own conscience and 
judgment approve. 

General Prescott, who was taken at Rhode Island 
by Colonel Barton, on his route through Connecticut, 
called at a tavern to dine ; the landlady brought on 



214 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

the table a dish of succatash, boiled corn and beans, 
the general, unaccustomed to such kind of food, with 
much warmth exclaimed, " what, do you treat us 
with tlie food of hogs ?" and taking the dish from 
the table, emptied the contents over the floor. 
The landlord being informed of this, soon entered 
with his horsewhip, and gave the general a severe 
chastisement. After the general was exchanged, and 
he resumed his command on the island, the inhabi- 
tants of Nantucket deputed Dr. Gilston to negotiate 
some concerns with General Prescott, in behalf of 
the town. Prescott treated the Doctor very cava- 
lierly, and gave as the cause, that the Doctor looked 
so like that d — d landlord, who horsewhipped him 
in Connecticut, that he could not treat him with 
civility. 

When the Count D'Estaing's fleet appeared near 
the British batteries, in the harbor of Rhode Island, 
a severe cannonade was commenced, and several shot 
passed through the houses in town, and occasioned 
great consternation among the inhabitants. A shot 
passed througli the door of Mrs. Mason's house, 
just above the floor. The family were alarmed, not 
knowing wliere to flee for safety. A negro man ran 
and sat himself down very composedly, with his back 
against the shot hole in the door, and being asked by 
young Mr. Mason why he chose that situation, he 
replied, ^< Massa, you never know two bullet go in 
one place.'' 

October. — Information is received that the enemy 
are preparing to evacuate the town of Newport. 
They have burnt the light house, blown up some of 
their works, and embarked their heavy baggage. 

16/^. — It is ascertained that the British have 
abandoned the town of Newport, and that some of 
our troops have taken possession of the town. It is 
but justice to remark, that the enemy left the town 
in good condition, and that they treated the inhabi- 
tants with civility. They left a large quantity of 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 215 

hay, wood, and military stores. Our regiment is un- 
der marching orders. 

JVovember. — In obedience to orders, we marched 
from Providence on the 8th instant, passing through 
the towns of Coventry, Windham, Bolton, Hartford, 
Woodbury, and Newtown, and arrived at Danbury, 
Conn, on the 23d. Our regiment is united with 
General Stark's brigade, the vvliole of which is now 
billeted in private houses. Danbury was formerly a 
flourishing town, but the principal part of it has been 
destroyed by the enemy. A soldier having anointed 
himself for the itch, with mercurial ointment, last 
night, was found dead this morning, — and another suf- 
fered the same fate, in consequence of drinking six 
gills of rum. Our troops have suffered greatly by 
snow, and rain, and excessively bad travelling, since 
we left Providence. 

December. — Our brigade left Danbury on the 5th 
instant. It snovvcd all the afternoon, and we took 
shelter in the woods at Cortland's manor. Having 
no other shelter than bushes thrown together, we 
passed a very cold uncomfortable night. Marched the 
next day through a deep snow, and took lodgings at 
night in private houses at Crompond; marched again 
early, crossed the Hudson at King's ferry, and pro- 
ceeded twenty miles, it being late at night before our 
men could all find accommodations, in the scattering 
houses and barns on the road. I visited my friend 
Doctor S. Findley, of General Glover's brigade, and 
being invited to breakfast, the only food he could 
furnish was coffee, without milk or sugar, and meagre 
beef steaks, without bread or even salt. Such has 
been for some time the unaccountable scarcity of pro- 
visions in the main army. We marched to Pompton 
on the 9th, and on the 14th reached this wilderness, 
about three miles from Morristown, where we are to 
build log huts for winter quarters. Our baggage is 
left in the rear, for want of wagons to transport it. 
The snow on the ground is about two feet deep, and 



216 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

the weather extremely cold ; the soldiers are desti- 
tute of both tents and blankets, and some of them 
are actually barefooted and almost naked. Our only 
defence against the inclemency of the weather, con- 
sists of brush wood throv.n together. Our lodging 
the last night was on the frozen ground. Those of- 
ficers who have the privilege of a horse, can always 
have a blanket at hand. Having removed the snow, 
we wrapped ourselves in great coats, spread our 
blankets on the ground, and lay down by the side of 
each other five or six together, with large fires at 
our feet, leaving orders with the waiters to keep it 
well supplied with fuel during the night. We could 
procure neither shelter nor forage for our horses, and 
the poor animals were tied to trees in the woods for 
twenty four hours without food, except the bark which 
they peeled from the trees. Lieutenant W. and my- 
self, rode to Morristown, where we dined, and fed 
our starving horses at a tavern. General Washing- 
ton has taken his head quarters at Morristown, and 
the whole army in this department are to be employed 
in building log huts for winter quarters. The ground 
is marked out, and the soldiers have commenced cut- 
ting down the timber of oak and walnut, of which 
we have a great abundance. Our baggage has at 
length arrived, the men find it very diflicult to pitch 
their tents on the frozen ground, and notwithstand- 
ing large fires, we can scarcely keep from freezing. 
In addition to other sufferings, the whole army has 
been for seven or eight days entirely destitute of the 
staff" of life ; our only food is miserable fresh beef, 
without bread, salt, or vegetables. 

It is a circumstance greatly to be deprecated, that 
the army, who are devoting their lives, and every 
thing dear, to the defence of our country's freedom, 
should be subjected to such unparalleled privations, 
while in the midst of a country abounding in 
every kind of provisions. The time has before oc- 
curred when the army was on the point of dissolu- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 217 

tion for the want of provisions, and it is to be ascrib- 
ed to their patriotism, and to a sense of honor and 
duty, that they have not long since abandoned the 
cause of their country. The heroic fortitude with 
which our officers and soldiers support their dis- 
tresses, proclaims their fidelity, and intrinsic merit. 
Besides the evils abovementioned, we experience 
another, in tlie rapid depreciation of the continental 
money, which we receive for our pay ; it is now es- 
timated at about thirty for one. It is from this cause, 
according to report, that our Commissary General is 
unable to furnish the army with a proper supply of 
provisions. The people in the country are unwilling 
to sell the produce of their farms for this depreciated 
currency, and both the resources and the credit of 
our Congress, appear to be almost exhausted. The 
year is now closed, and with it expires the term 
of enlistment of a considerable number of our sol- 
diers ; new conditions are offered them to encourage 
their re-enlistment during the war ; but such are the 
numerous evils which they have hitherto experienc- 
ed, that it is feared but a small proportion of them 
will re-enlist. Should these apprehensions be realiz- 
ed, the fate of our country, and the destiny of its 
present rulers and friends, will soon be decided. 

It has hitherto been our grievous misfortune, that 
the several states have attempted to supply their 
quota of the army, by short enlistments. No fact is 
more susceptible of demonstration, than that enlist- 
ing, or draughting men for nine months, or one year, 
never fails of being attended with disappointment, 
and a train of pernicious consequences. General 
Washington has, from the beginning of the contest, 
most pointedly protested against it, and labored with 
unwearied assiduity, to induce the states to adopt a 
more just and permanent system. By the present 
mode, the strength of the army is continually pre- 
carious and fluctuating ; the recruits have scarcely 
time to learn the discipline and police of a camp, 
28 



218 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 

before they are at liberty to return to their farms, 
and their places are supplied by others who require 
the same course of instruction. The consequence is, 
that but a small proportion of our troops are inured 
to actual service, they are continually liable to camp 
diseases, and are undeserving of confidence in the 
most critical moments of the campaign. Another 
discouraging circumstance attending this mode of re- 
cruiting the army is, the great inequality of the boun- 
ties given to the soldiers at diiferent times, and the 
disparity in the provision made by the several states, 
which occasions murmurs and discontent among their 
respective troops. It is consistency, and stability, 
that give character and efficiency to an army, and 
tliis has ever been the great desideratum in the view 
of our Commander in Chief. The state of Massa- 
chusetts, in order to fill up their regiments, have of- 
fered a bounty of three hundred dollars, in addition to 
the continental bounty of two hundred dollars, to in- 
duce men to enlist for three years, or during the war. 
Intelligence has been received from Savannah, 
Georgia, which city has for some time been in the 
possession of the enemy, under command of General 
Prevost. Major General Lincoln is commander in 
chief of our army in that department. The Count 
D'Estaing had arrived there with a French fleet, and 
a body of troops. With these forces, combined with 
the Americans, the two commanders, after having be- 
sieged the city for some time, resolved on the almost 
desperate resolution of possessing it by assault. The al- 
lied force consisted of between four and five thousand 
men. General Lincoln and Count D'Estaing led their 
respective troops to the lines of the enemy, with the 
most signal firmness and intrepidity, and faced their fire 
for about fifty five minutes, when they were repulsed 
with considerable loss. Count D'Estaing received tvi^o 
slight wounds ; more than six hundred of his brave 
troops, and about one hundred and seventy continentals 
were killed or wounded. Count Pulaski, a brigadier 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1779. 219 

general in our service, at the head of two hundred 
horsemen, was in full gallop, with the intention of 
charging the enemy in the rear, when he received a 
mortal wound. This gentleman was a Polander, of 
distinguished rank and character ; having viewed 
the American cause in a favorable light, he offered 
his services to our Congress, who appointed him to 
the rank of brigadier general. He has by his active 
and enterprizing spirit rendered essential service to 
our army, and his death is universally lamented. 

During the siege of Savannah, an event oc- 
curred, singularly honorable to an enterprizing in- 
dividual, which should never be forgotten. A cap- 
tain of Colonel Delany's battalion of refugee troops, 
with about one hundred American royal regulars, 
was posted near a river twenty five miles from 
Savannah, where were four armed British vessels, 
manned with about forty sailors. Colonel John 
White, of the Georgia line, was desirous of the 
honor of capturing this party ; his whole force, how- 
ever, consisted of no more than six volunteers, in- 
cluding his own servant; it was only by a well con- 
certed stratagem, therefore, that he could hope for 
success. In the night, he kindled a number of fires, 
in different places, and exhibited the appearance of 
a large encampment, and having arranged his plan, 
he summoned the captain to surrender, threatening 
his entire destruction, by a superior force, in case of 
a refusal. Intimidated, and deceived by appear- 
ances, the captain immediately signified his readiness 
to comply with the demand, and made no further de- 
fence. The American captain, White, had now the 
satisfaction, by his peculiar address, to see the whole 
of the prisoners, amounting to one hundred and forty, 
divest themselves of their arms, and submit to him- 
self and his six volunteers. The prisoners were af- 
terwards safely conducted by three of the captors for 
twenty five miles through the country, to an American 
post. During the present month, one Hessian lieuten- 



220 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

ant and seven Hessian soldiers, and four British, de- 
serted from the enemy at New York. The lieutenant 
pretended to desire to enter our service as a volun- 
teer, but deserters are generally suspicious, or worth- 
less characters, undeserving of attention. One of 
the British deserters pretended to be a prophet, but 
probably a disguised spy. 

January 1st, 1780. — A new year commences, but 
brings no relief to the sufferings and privations of 
our army. Our canvass covering affords but a mis- 
erable security from storms of rain and snow, and 
a great scarcity of provisions still prevails, and its 
effects are felt even at head quarters, as appears 
by the following anecdote. *^ We have nothing but 
the rations to cook. Sir," said Mrs. Thomson, a very 
worthy Irish woman and house keeper to General 
Washington. " Well, Mrs. Thomson, you must then 
cook the rations, for I have not a farthing to give 
you." " If you please. Sir, let one of the gentlemen 
give me an order for six bushels of salt" " Six 
bushels of salt, for what ?" " to preserve the fresh 
beef. Sir." One of the aids gave the order, and 
the next day his Excellency's table was amply pro- 
vided. Mrs. Thomson was sent for, and told that 
she had done very wrong to expend her own money, 
for it was not known when she could be repaid. <'I 
owe you," said his Excellency, " too much already to 
permit the debt being increased, and our situation 
is not at this moment such as to induce very sanguine 
hope." "^^ Dear Sir," said the good old lady, '^^ it is 
always darkest just before day light, and I hope your 
Excellency will forgive me for bartering the salt for 
other necessaries which are now on the table." Salt 
was eight dollars a bushel, and it might always be 
exchanged with the country people for articles of 
provision. 

The weatlier for several days has been remarka- 
bly cold and stormy. On the 3d instant, we ex- 
perienced one of the most tremendous snow storms 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 221 

ever remembered ; no man could endure its vio- 
lence many minutes without danger of his life. 
Several marquees were torn asunder and blown 
down over the officers' heads in the night, and some 
of the soldiers were actually covered while in their 
tents, and buried like sheep under the snow. My 
comrades and myself were roused from sleep by the 
calls of some officers for assistance ; their marquee 
had blown down, and they were almost smothered 
in the storm, before they could reach our marquee, 
only a few yards, and their blankets and baggage 
were nearly buried in the snow. We are greatly 
favored in having a supply of straw for bedding, 
over this we spread all our blankets, and with our 
clothes and large fires at our feet, while four or five 
are crowded together, preserve ourselves from freez- 
ing. But the sufferings of the poor soldiers can 
scarcely be described, while on duty they are un- 
avoidably exposed to all the inclemency of storms 
and severe cold ; at night they now have a bed of 
straw on the ground, and a single blanket to each 
man ; they are badly clad, and some are destitute of 
shoes. We have contrived a kind of stone chimney 
outside, and an opening at one end of our tents gives 
us the benefit of the fire within. The snow is now 
from four to six feet deep, which so obstructs the 
roads as to prevent our receiving a supply of pro- 
visions. For the last ten days we have received but 
two pounds of meat a man, and we are frequently 
for six or eight days entirely destitute of meat, and 
then as long without bread. The consequence is, 
the soldiers are so enfeebled from hunger and cold, 
as to be almost unable so perform their military duty, 
or labor in constructing their huts. It is well known 
that General Washington experiences the greatest 
solicitude for the sufferings of his army, and is sensi- 
ble that they in general conduct with heroic patience 
and fortitude. His Excellency, it is understood, des- 
pairing of supplies from the Commissary General, has 



'Z22 MILITARY JOURNAL; 1780. 

made application to the magistrates of the state of 
New Jersey for assistance in procuring provisions. 
This expedient has been attended with the happiest 
success. It is honorable to the magistrates and 
people of Jersey, that they have cheerfully complied 
with the requisition, and furnished for the present an 
ample supply, and have thus probably saved the 
army from destruction. 

As if to make up the full measure of grief and 
embarrassment to the Commander in Chief, repeated 
complaints have been made to him that some of the 
soldiers are in the practice of pilfering and plundering 
the inhabitants of their poultry, sheep, pigs, and even 
their cattle, from their farms. This marauding prac- 
tice has often been prohibited in general orders, under 
the severest penalties, and some exemplary punish- 
ments have been inflicted. General Washington pos- 
sesses an inflexible firmness of purpose, and is deter- 
mined that discipline and subordination in camp shall 
be rigidly enforced and maintained. The whole army 
has been sufficiently warned, and cautioned against 
robbing the inhabitants on any pretence whatever, and 
no soldier is subjected to punishment without a fair 
trial, and conviction by a court martial. Death has 
been inflicted in a few instances of an atrocious nature, 
but in general, the punishment consists in a public 
whipping, and the number of stripes is proportioned 
to the degree of ofience. The law of Moses pre- 
scribes forty stripes save one, but this number has 
often been exceeded in our camp. In aggravated 
cases, and with old oftenders, the culprit is sentenced 
to receive one hundred lashes, or more. It is always 
tlie duty of the drummers and fifers to inflict the 
chastisement, and the drum major must attend and 
see that the duty is faithfully performed. The cul- 
prit being securely tied to a tree, or post, receives 
on his naked back the number of lashes assigned him, 
by a whip formed of several small knotted cords, 
which sometimes cut through the skin at every stroke. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 223 

However strange it may appear, a soldier will often 
receive the severest stripes without uttering a groan, 
or once shrinking form the lash, even while the blood 
flov/s freely from liis lacerated wounds. This must 
be ascribed to stubbornness or pride. They have 
however, adopted a method which they say mitigates 
the anguish in some measure, it is by putting be- 
tween the teeth a leaden bullet, on which they chew 
while under the lash, till it is made quite flat and 
jagged. In some instances of incorrigible villains, it 
is adjuged by the court that the culprit receive his 
punishment at several different times, a certain num- 
ber of stripes repeated at intervals of two or three 
days, in which ease the wounds are in a state of in- 
flammation, and the skin rendered more sensibly 
tender ; and the terror of the punishment is greatly 
aggravated. Another mode of punishment is that 
of running the gantlet, this is done by a company 
of soldiers standing in two lines, each one furnish- 
ed with a switch, and the criminal is made to run 
between them and receive the scourge from their 
hands on his naked back ; but the delinquent runs 
so rapidly, and the soldiers are so apt to favor a 
comrade, that it often happens in this way that the 
punishment is very trivial ; but on some occasions, 
a soldier is ordered to liold a bayonet at his breast 
to impede his steps. If a noncommissioned officer 
is sentenced to corporeal punishment, he is always 
degraded to the soldier's rank. The practice of 
corporeal punishment in an army has become a sub- 
ject of animadversion, and both the policy and pro- 
priety of the measure have been called in question. 
It may be observed that the object of punishment is 
to exhibit examples, to deter others from committing 
crimes ; that corporeal punishment may be made 
sufliciently severe as a commutation for the punish- 
ment of death in ordinary cases ; it is more humane, 
and by saving the life of a soldier, we prevent the 
loss of his services to the public. In justification of 



2^ MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

the practice, it is alleged also, that in the British 
army it has long been established in their military 
code, and it is not uncommon to sentence a criminal 
to receive a thousand lashes, and that they aggravate 
its horrors in the most cruel manner, by repeating 
the stripes from day to day, before the wounds are 
healed ; and instances are not wanting of its having 
been attended with fatal consequences. On the other 
hand, it is objected, that coporeal punishment is dis- 
reputable to an army, it will never reclaim the un- 
principled villain, and it has a tendency to repress 
the spirit of ambition and enterprize in the young 
soldier ; and the individual thus ignominiously treat- 
ed, can never, in case of promotion for meritorious 
services, be received with complacency as a compan- 
ion for other officers. These objections will apply 
to most other modes of punishment, and it remains 
to be decided, which is the most eligible for the pur- 
pose of maintaining that subordination so indispen- 
sable in all armies. 

Notwithstanding the numerous difficulties and dis- 
couragements with which our army have been com- 
pelled to struggle, we are happy to find that a con- 
siderable proportion of those soldiers whose terms 
of enlistment have lately expired, have re-enlisted 
during the continuance of the war. It may seem 
extraordinary that those who have experienced such 
accumulated distress and privations, should volun- 
tarily engage again in the same service. But amidst 
all the toils and hardships, there are charms in a mil- 
itary life : it is here that we witness heroic actions 
and deeds of military glory. The power of habit and 
the spirit of ambition, pervade the soldiers' ranks, 
and those who have been accustomed to active scenes, 
and formed their social attachments, cannot without 
reluctance quit the tumult and the bustle of a camp, 
for the calm and quiet of domestic pursuits. There 
is to be found however, in the bosom of our soldiers 
the purest principles of patriotism, — they glory in 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 225 

the noble cause of their country, and pride them- 
selves in contributing to its successful termination. 
It is hoped they will not again be subjected to a 
starving condition. 

\7th. — A detachment, consisting of about two thou- 
sand five hundred men, under the command of Major 
General Lord Stirling, was a few days since sent off 
in about five hundred sleighs on a secret expedition. 
The sleighs were procured, and preparations made, 
under the pretence of going into the country after 
provisions. It is now ascertained that the object^of 
the expedition was to attack the enemy in their 
works on Staten Island, by surprize. Our party 
passed over on the ice from Elizabethtown in the 
night, but the enemy having received intelligence of 
their design, retired into their strong works for 
safety, and the object of the enterprize was unfor- 
tunately defeated ; they however, brought off a 
quantity of blankets and stores. The snow was 
three or four feet deep, and the weather extremely 
cold, and our troops continued on the island twenty 
four hours without covering, and about five hundred 
were slightly frozen, and six were killed by a 
party of horse, who pursued our rear guard. A 
number of tents, arms, and a quantity of baggage, 
with several casks of wine and spirits, were brought 
off, with seventeen prisoners. 

27th. — A party of the enemy made an excursion 
from Staten Island in the night, surprized our picket 
guard, and succeeded in taking off a major, and forty 
men. Our ofiicers were censured for their conduct 
in not being sufilciently alert to gnard against a sur- 
prize. We are now rejoicing in having a plentiful 
supply of provisions and a favorable prospect of a full 
supply in future. Our log huts are almost complet- 
ed, and we promise ourselves very comfortable quarters 
for the remainder of the winter. 

A detachment of eighty men, levies and volunteers, 
under command of Captains Keeler and Loekwood, 
29 



226 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780, 

marched to Morrissania in the night and made an 
attack on Colonel Hatfield. The Colonel and his 
men took to the chambers and fired out of the win- 
dows and down stairs at those who entered the house. 
Our party found it almost impossible to dislodge them 
till they set fire to the house by putting a straw bed 
into a closet while in blaze, which compelled them 
to jump out at the chamber windows to avoid the 
flames. Colonel Hatfield, one captain, one lieu- 
tenant, and one quarter master, and eleven private 
soldiers were taken and brought off. 

We are just informed that on the first of this 
month about two hundred soldiers of the Massachu- 
setts line, who were stationed at West Point, pre- 
tending that their term of enlistment had expired, 
marched off with the intention of going home. A 
party of troops was despatched after them, and they 
were brought back. Several soldiere from other 
posts followed their example. The subject being 
investigated by the pix)per officers, it was found that 
many of them had several months to serve, some of 
these were punished, and the remainder returned to 
their duty. Those whose term had actually expired 
were discharged. During the present month a con- 
siderable number of deserters, both British and Hes- 
sians, have come from the enemy. 

February. — Lieutenant Colonel Thompson had the 
command of about two hundred and fifty men, as an 
advanced party, on our lines. He was instructed to 
be constantly alert, and in motion, that the enemy 
might not be able to take advantage, and form a plan 
for his destruction. It happened however, that a 
detachment of. British, Hessians, and mounted refu- 
gees, were discovered advancing towards him, but 
on account of a very deep snow obstructing the road, 
they marched slowly, and Colonel Thompson resolv- 
ed to defend his ground. The enemy's horse first 
advanced and commenced skirmishing till their in- 
fantry approached, when a sharp conflict ensue d;j 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 227 

which continued about fifteen minutes ; some of our 
troops manifested symptoms of cowardice, and gave 
way. The enemy secured the advantage, and rushed 
on with a general shout, which soon decided the con- 
test. The Americans lost thirteen men killed, and 
Captain Roberts, being mortally wounded, soon ex- 
pired ; seventeen others were wounded. Lieutenant 
Colonel Thompson, and six other officers, with eighty 
nine rank and file, were made prisoners. Of the 
enemy two officers and eighteen men- were wounded, 
and five men killed. One of our men, by the name 
of Mayhew, of Massachusetts, was pursued by two of 
the enemy's horse, the snow being almost up to his 
hips, they gained fast on him, he inquired if they 
would give him quarter, they replied, " yes, you 
dog, we will quarter you," and this was again repeat- 
ed. Mayhew, in despair, resolving to give them a 
shot before he submitted to his fate, turned and fired 
at the first horseman, who cried out, ^'^ the rascal has 
broken my leg," when both of them wheeled round 
and rode off, leaving Mayhew to rejoice at his fortu- 
nate escape. 

I4th. — Having continued to this late season in our 
tents, experiencing the greatest inconvenience, we 
have now the satisfaction of taking possession of the 
log huts, just completed by our soldiers, where we 
shall have more comfortable accommodations. Major 
Trescott, Lieutenant Williams, our pay master, and 
myself, occupy a hut with one room, furnished with 
our lodging cabins, and crowded with our baggage. 

20th. — Two soldiers were brought to the gallows 
for the crime of robbery. One of them was pardon- 
ed under the gallows, and the other executed. The 
poor criminal was so dreadfully tortured by the hor- 
rors of an untimely death, that he was scarcely able 
to sustain himself, and the scene excited the compas- 
sion of every spectator. It is hoped that this exam- 
ple will make such an impression as to deter others 
from committing similar crimes. 



228 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

March. — The present winter is the most severe 
and distressing, which we have ever expei'ienced. 
An immense body of snow remains on the ground. 
Our soldiers are in a wretched condition for the wgnt 
of clothes, blankets and shoes ; and these calamitous 
circumstances are accompanied by a want of provi- 
sions. It has several times happened that the troops 
were reduced to one half, or to one quarter allowance, 
and some days have passed without any meat or 
bread being delivered out. The causes assigned for 
these extraordinary deficiencies, are the very low 
state of the public finances, in consequence of the 
rapid depreciation of the continental currency, and 
some irregularity in the commissary's department. 
Our soldiers, in general, support their suft'erings 
with commendable firmness, but it is feared that their 
patience will be exhausted, and very serious conse- 
quences ensue. 

April. — ^A party of our troops being stationed on 
the line, under the command of Major Boyles, of the 
Pennsylvania line, was unfortunately surprized by the 
enemy in the night. The major defended himself in 
a house till he was mortally wounded, when he and 
his guard surrendered. The enemy set fire to seve- 
ral houses, and carried off about fifty of our men, and 
five or six ofiicei's, among whom is Ensign Thacher, 
of our regiment. The militia pursued, and retook a 
number of horses, and a quantity of valuable goods, 
which they had plundered from the inhabitants. 

19/A. — The Chevalier de la Luzerne, minister of 
France, with another French gentleman, and Don 
Juan de Miralles, a gentlemen of distinction from 
Spain, arrived at head quarters, from Philadelphia, 
in company with his Excellency General Washing- 
ton. Major Trescott was ordered out with two 
hundred men, to meet and escort them to head 
quarters, where two battalions were paraded to re- 
ceive them with the usual military honors. Several 
of our general officers rode about five miles to meet 



MILITAUY JOURNAL, 1780. 229 

the gentlemen, and their arrival was announced by 
the discharge of thirteen cannon. The foreign gen- 
tlemen and their suits, having left their carriages, 
were mounted on elegant horses, which, with General 
Washington, the general officers of our army, with 
their aids and servants, formed a most splendid caval- 
cade, which attracted the attention of a vast con- 
course of spectators. General Washington accompa- 
nied his illustrious visitors to take a distant view of 
the enemy's position and works, on York and Staten 
island, and of th^ different posts of our army, while 
preparations were making for a grand field review of 
our troops. 

24/A. — A field of parade being prepared under the 
direction of the Baron Steuben, four battalions of 
our army were presented for review, by the French 
minister, attended by his Excellency and our general 
officers. Thirteen cannon, as usual, announced their 
arrival in the field, and they received from the offi- 
cers and soldiers the military honors due to their ex- 
alted rank. A large stage was erected in the field, 
which was crowded by officers, ladies, and gentle- 
men of distinction from the country, among whom 
were Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, and his 
lady. Our troops exhibited a truly military ap- 
pearance, and performed the manoeuvres and evolu- 
tions in a manner, which afforded much satisfaction 
to our Commander in Chief, and they were honored 
with the approbation of the French minister, and by 
all present. After the gentlemen had received the 
standing salute in review, they dismounted and re- 
tired to the stage with the ladies, and the troops 
performed several evolutions, and paid the marching 
salute, as they passed the stage. The minister of 
France was highly gratified, and expressed to Gene- 
ral Washington his admiration at the precision of 
their movements, and the exactness of their fires, as 
well as the spirit and alacrity which seemed to per- 
vade all ranks in the army. In the evening, General 



230 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

Washington and the French minister, attended a 
ball, provided by our principal officers, at which 
were present a numerous collection of ladies and 
gentlemen, of distinguished character. Fire works 
were also exhibited by the officers of the artillery. 
It is much regretted that M. de Miralles is confined 
at head quarters, by indisposition. On the 25th, 
the whole army was paraded under arms, to afford 
M. de la Luzerne another opportunity of reviewing 
the troops, after which he was escorted part of the 
way to Philadelphia. The Spanish gentleman re- 
mained dangerously sick of a pulmonic fever at head 
quarters, and on the 28th he expired. 

29^A. — I accompanied Doctor Schuyler to head 
quarters, to attend the funeral of M. de Miralles. 
The deceased was a gentleman of high rank in Spain, 
and had been about one year a resident with our 
Congress, from the Spanish Court. The corpse was 
dressed in rich state, and exposed to public view, as 
is customary in Europe. The coffin was most splen- 
did and stately, lined throughout with fine cambric, 
and covered on the outside with rich black velvet, 
and ornamented in a superb manner. The top of 
the coffin was removed, to display the pomp and 
grandeur with which the body was decorated. It 
was in a splendid full dress, consisting of a scarlet 
suit, embroidered with rich gold lace, a three cornered 
gold laced hat, and a genteel cued wig, white silk 
stockings, large diamond shoe and knee buckles, a 
profusion of diamond rings decorated the fingers, 
and from a superb gold watch set with diamonds, 
several rich seals were suspended. His Excellency 
General Washington, with several other general offi- 
cers, and members of Congress, attended the funeral 
solemnities, and walked as cliief mourners. The 
other officers of the army, and numerous respecta- 
ble citizens, formed a splendid procession, extending 
about one mile. The pall bearers were six field 
officers, and the coffin was borne on the shoulders of 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 231 

four officers of the artillery in full uniform. Minute 
guns were fired during the procession, which greatly 
increased the solemnity of the occasion. A Spanish 
priest performed service at the grave, in the Roman 
Catholic form. The coffin was enclosed in a box of 
plank, and all the profusion of pomp and grandeur 
was deposited in the silent grave, in the common 
burying ground, near the church at Morristown. A 
guard is placed at the grave, lest our soldiers should 
be tempted to dig for hidden treasure. It is under- 
stood that the corpse is to be removed to Philadel- 
phia. This gentleman is said to have been in posses- 
sion of an immense fortune, and has left to his three 
daughters in Spain, one hundred thousand pounds 
sterling each. Here we behold the end of all earth- 
ly riches, pomp, and dignity. The ashes of Don 
Miralles mingle with the remains of those who are 
clothed in humble shrouds, and whose career in life 
was marked with sordid poverty and wretchedness. 

May. — The officers of our army have long been 
dissatisfied with their situation, conceiving that we 
are devoting our lives to the public service, without 
an adequate remuneration. Our sacrifices are incal- 
culably great, and far exceed the bounds of duty, 
which the public can of right claim from any one 
class of men. Our wages are not punctually paid, 
we are frequently five or six months in arrears, and 
the continental money which we receive is depre- 
ciated to the lowest ebb. Congress have establish- 
ed a scale of depreciation, by which the continen- 
tal bills are valued at forty for one of silver, and 
at this rate they have resolved that all their bills 
shall be called in and a new emission shall be issued, 
and received at the rate of one for forty of the 
old emission. But the public confidence in paper 
money is greatly diminished, and it is with extreme 
difficulty that proper supplies can be procured to 
serve the pressing exigencies of our army. I have 
just seen, in the newspaper an advertisement offering 



232 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

for an article forty dollars a pound, or three shillings 
in silver. Tliis is the trash which is tendered to re- 
quite us for our sacrifices, for our sufferings and pri- 
vations, while in the service of our country. It is 
but a sordid pittance even for our common purposes 
while in camp, but those who have families depen- 
dant on them at home, are reduced to a deplorable 
condition. In consequence of this state of things, a 
considerable number of officers have been compelled 
to resign their commissions. His Excellency General 
Washington, is perplexed with an apprehension that 
he shall lose many of his most experienced and valu- 
able officers ; and knowing the injustice which they 
suffer, he has taken a warm interest in their cause, 
and repeatedly represented to Congress the absolute 
necessity of making such provision as will encourage 
the officers to continue in service to the end of the 
war. This subject he has pressed with such earnest- 
ness and solicitude, as at length to effect the desired 
purpose. Congress have resolved that all officers of 
the line of the army who shall continue in service 
till the close of the war, shall be entitled to half pay 
during life, and the depreciation of their pay shall 
be made good ; and also that they shall receive a 
number of acres of land, in proportion to their rank, 
at the close of the war. This measure meets the ap- 
probation, and is satisfactory to those who are to be 
entitled to the provision ; but it includes the officers of 
the line of the army only, it is not extended to the 
medical staff, and they consider themselves pointedly 
neglected. Why are the officers of the line allow- 
ed this exclusive act of justice, a compensation for the 
depreciation of the currency ? if it is just for the line, 
what reasons can be assigned why the staff officers 
should not be included, when the depreciation is 
known to be common to both ? Equal justice should 
be the motto of every government. The officers on 
the staff have a right to think themselves treated 
with the most flagrant injustice, 



MILITARY JOURNAL;, 1780, 233 

A committee have arrived in camp, from Congress, 
for the purpose of investigating the circumstances 
and condition of the army, and of redressing our 
grievances, if in their power. The regimental sur- 
geons and mates have convened, and chosen a com- 
mittee of three, to wait on the committee of Con- 
gress, and to present for their consideration our com- 
plaints and grievances, and to inquire whether we 
are to be included in the resolve making provision 
for regimental officers, and entitled to the emolu- 
ments granted to the line of the army ? The com- 
mittee replied, that they could not give a decisive 
answer, that the subject of our complaints did not 
come under their cognizance, but that they would 
make the proper representation to Congress. 

Our brigade was paraded for inspection and review 
by Baron Steuben, in the presence of his Excellency 
General Washington. The troops appeared to much 
advantage, and the officers received the thanks of the 
Baron for the military and soldierly appearance of 
the men. 

lO^A. — Dined with Colonel Jackson, who entertained 
a party of gentlemen. Our table was not ornament- 
ed with numerous covers, our fare was frugal, but de- 
cent. Colonel Jackson possesses a liberal and generous 
spirit, and entertains his friends in the kindest man- 
ner. We sat at table till evening, enjoying the con- 
versation of the learned Doctor Shippin, director 
general of the hospital department, accompanied by 
Colonel Proctor and Major Eustis. The Marquis 
de la Fayette has just arrived at liead quarters, lately 
from France. The safe return of this respectable 
personage, is matter of joy and congratulation. 

26^/i. — Eleven soldiei's are condemned to suffer 
death for various crimes, three of whom are sentenc- 
ed to be shot ; the whole number were prepared for 
execution this day, but pardons were gi'anted, by tlie 
Commander in Chief, to those who were to have been 
shot, and to seven others, wliile under the gallows. 
30 



234 51ILITARV JOURNAL, 1780. 

This was a most solemn and affecting scene, capable of 
torturing the feelings even of the most callous breast. 
The wretched criminals were brought in carts to the 
place of execution. Mr. Rogers, the chaplain, at- 
tended them to the gallows, addressed them in a 
very pathetic manner, impressing on their minds the 
heinousness of their crimes, the justice of their sen- 
tence, and the high importance of a preparation for 
death. The criminals were placed side by side, on 
the scaffold, with halters round their necks, their 
coffins before their eyes, their graves open to their 
view, and thousands of spectators bemoaning their 
awful doom. The moment approaches when every 
eye is fixed in expectation of beholding the agonies 
of death, — the eyes of the victims are already closed 
from the light of this world. At this awful moment, 
while their fervent prayers are ascending to Heaven, 
an officer comes forward and reads a reprieve for 
seven of them, by the Commander in Chief. The 
trembling criminals are now divested of the imple- 
ments of death, and their bleeding hearts leap for 
joy. How exquisitely rapturous must be the transi- 
tion when snatched from the agonizing horrors of a 
cruel death, and mercifully restored to the enjoyment 
of a life that had been forfeited ! No pen can describe 
the emotions which must have agitated their souls. 
They were scarcely able to remove from the scaffold 
without assistance. The chaplain reminded them of 
the gratitude they owed the Commander in Chief, 
for his clemency towards them, and that the only 
i^eturn in their power to make, was a life devoted to 
the faithful discharge of their duty. The criminal 
who was executed, had been guilty of forging a num- 
ber of discliarges, by which he and more than a hun- 
dred soldiers had left the army. He appeared to be 
penitent, and behaved with uncommon fortitude and 
resolution. He addressed the soldiers, desired them 
to be faithful to their country and obedient to their 
officers, and advised the officers to be punctual in all 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 235 

their engagements to the soldiers, and give them no 
cause to desert. He examined the halter, and told 
the hangman the knot was not made right, and that 
the rope was not strong enough, as he was a heavy 
man. Having adjusted the knot and fixed it round 
his own neck, he was swung off instantly. The rope 
broke, and he fell to the ground, by which he was 
very much bruised. He calmly reascended the lad- 
der and said, '^ I told you the rope was not strong 
enough, do get a stronger one." Another being pro- 
cured, he was launched into eternity. 

2^th. — Four battalions of our troops were paraded 
for review by the commitee of Congress, in the 
presence of General Washington; they were duly 
honored with the military salute. 

We are again visited with the calamity of which 
we have so often complained, a great scarcity of pro- 
visions of every kind. Our poor soldiers are reduced 
to the very verge of famine ; their patience is ex- 
hausted by complicated sufferings, and their spirits 
are almost broken. It is with extreme pain that we 
perceive in the ranks of the soldiers a sensible dimi- 
nution of that enthusiastic patriotism, and that ardent 
attachment to our cause, by which they were formerly 
distinguished. Much praise is due to tlie oflicers 
of every grade, who make all possible exertions to 
encourage, to satisfy and to soothe the desponding 
spirits of the soldiery. Under the most trying cir- 
cumstances however, both officers and soldiers retain 
their full confidence in the wisdom and goodness of 
our illustrious Commander in Chief, whom they almost 
adore, looking up to him as children to an affectionate 
father, participating in the same sufferings. Another 
source of dissatisfaction is the great inequality sub- 
sisting among the soldiers respecting their pecuniary 
compensation. Those who enlisted at an early 
period, for a small bounty, now find in the ranks with 
themselves, others who have recently enlisted for 
a bounty of more than ten times the nominal value. 



236 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

This, as may be supposed, excites the most poig- 
nant chagrin and disgust, and with other causes of 
discontent, has produced a considerable degree of 
relaxation in discipline, and an unusual number of 
desertions from our ranks. An event still more 
alarming occurred on the 25th instant. Two regi- 
ments of the Connecticut line took the liberty to 
parade without their officers, and in the spirit of 
mutiny, resolved to march into the country to re- 
lieve themselves from present difficulties, and to 
furnish themselves with provisions at all hazards. 
Colonel Meigs, in attempting to restore order, receiv- 
ed a blow from one of the mutineers. A brigade 
of Pennsylvanians was ordered to arrest their pro- 
gress. The leaders were secured, and the two regi- 
ments were returned to their duty. Their com- 
plaints are, that they have too long served the public 
without any present, or a prospect of future recom- 
pense ; that their sufferings are insupportable, that 
their pay is five months in arrear, and that it is of 
no value when received. These circumstances are 
known to be substantially true, and in justice they 
ought, and undoubtedly will, be admitted in extenu- 
ation of the crime which they have committed. It 
is nevertheless indispensably important, that every 
symptom of insubordination should be crushed as 
soon as discovered, lest the example become con- 
tagious, and involve the whole army in ruin. 

June. — In consequence of some movements of the 
enemy, our brigade was ordered to Chatham. A 
party of the enemy, about five thousand strong, came 
out of New York on the 7th instant, to a place called 
Connecticut Farms, where they burnt a few houses 
and plundered the inhabitants, but being opposed 
by General Maxwell's brigade of Jersey troops, and 
the militia, who turned out with spirit, they soon 
retreated to Elizabethtown point, with some loss, and 
were pursued by our troops. In this little skirmish, 
the British General Stirling, received a wound which 



MILITAKY JOURNAL, 1780. 237 

it is supposed will prove mortal. A number of other 
officers and soldiers, on the side of the British, were 
killed and wounded, and twenty prisoners taken by 
our militia. Our loss does not exceed ten or twelve 
killed, and twenty or thirty wounded. 

Among the horrid and barbarous deeds of the 
enemy, one has just been perpetrated, which will be 
an everlasting stigma on the British character. In 
the vicinity of the Connecticut Farms, state of New 
Jersey, resided the Rev. James Caldwell, a Presby- 
terian minister. This gentleman had uniformly taken 
an active part with his parishioners on the side of the 
Americans, in consequence of which he was marked 
for British vengeance. On the approach of the ene- 
my, he retired into the country, leaving his lady 
with the care of the family, supposing that the cus- 
tomary respect for the female character would be a 
pledge for her safety. Mrs. Caldwell, soon after the 
approach of the royal troops to the house, and a young 
woman, having Mrs. Caldwell's infant in her arms, 
seated themselves on the bed, when a British soldier 
came to the house, and putting his gun to the window 
of the room, shot her through the breast, and she 
instantly expired. Soon after, an officer with two 
Hessian soldiers, came and ordered a hole to be dug, 
the body to be thrown in, and the house to be set on 
fire. Thus was murdered an amiable and excellent 
lady, and the worthy husband left with nine children, 
destitute of even a change of clothes, or any thing 
to render them comfortable. The house and every 
article belonging to this respectable family were con- 
sumed, together with the church and thirteen dwell- 
ing houses. The British, during their excursion, 
took the opportunity of distributing a number of 
hand bills, containing a pompous account of the cap- 
ture of Charleston, South Carolina, by Sir Henry 
Clinton, with the garrison, commanded by Major 
General Lincoln. This unfortunate event is now 
confirmed by Generals Arnold and Wayne, who have 



238 MILITARY JOURN\L, 1780. 

just arrived from Philadelphia. General Lincoln 
was posted in tiie town of Charleston, with a force 
consisting of between two and three thousand men, 
including militia and seamen. General Clinton, in- 
vested the town with a powerful fleet and an army 
of thirteen thousand strong. He proceeded with 
regular approaches, till he advanced within twenty 
five yards of the American lines, and repeatedly de- 
manded the surrender of the garrison. ^'Through the 
very judicious management of General Lincoln, the 
siege was protracted from the 13th of April to the 
12th of May ; and during fifteen days of this time his 
troops were reduced to an allowance of six ounces of 
pork a man, and for the last six days, to one and a half 
pint of rice, and three ounces of sugar, a day. General 
Lincoln had to consult the interest and opinions of 
the inhabitants, which greatly increased his embar- 
rassments. At length the lines of defence being 
almost entirely demolished, by an incessant bombard- 
ment and cannonade, the besieged were reduced to 
the last extremity, and being in hourly expectation 
of an assault, it was agreed between General Lincoln 
and the principal inhabitants, that the town and gar- 
rison should be surrendered by capitulation. Gen- 
eral Lincoln, in this most important transaction of 
his life, manifested a cool intrepidity, a zealous per- 
severance, and a presence of mind which proclaim 
him preeminently qualified to encounter the extreme 
difficulties and dangers, in which he was involved ; 
and the terms of surrender were as honorable as 
could have been expected. 

15th. — Major Lee, from Virginia, has just arrived 
in camp, with a beautiful corps of light horse, the 
men in complete uniform, and the horses very elegant 
and finely disciplined. Major Lee is said to be a 
man of great spirit and enterprize, and much im- 
portant service is expected from him. By a gentle- 
man just from New York, we are informed that 
General Stirling died a few days ago of the wounds 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 239 

which he received in the skirmish with our troops 
on the 7th instant. 

16^^. — A soldier of the Jersey line was hanged 
for attempting to desert to the enemy. This is one 
of those hardened villains who were pardoned under 
the gallows about three weeks since. 

19^^. — Four emissaries from the enemy, were 
found concealed in a barn, belonging to a tory, in the 
vicinity of our lines ; one of them, their leader, refus- 
ed to surrender, and was killed on the spot. The 
other three were tried by a court martial, and being 
convicted as spies, were sentenced to be hanged. 
These unfortunate young men came to the gallows 
overwhelmed with the horrors of death. Their whole 
frames were thrown into a tremor, and they were 
tortured at the sight of the gallows and halters. 
They had flattered themselves that mercy would be 
extended to them, and that they would either be 
pardoned, or their lives be prolonged for a few days ; 
but when they found that the executioner was about 
to perform his office, their mournful cries and lamen- 
tations were distressing beyond description. It has 
somewhere been noted, that a girl walked seven 
miles, in a torrent of rain, to see a man hanged, and 
returned in tears, because the criminal was reprieved ; 
on the present occasion, a heart so full of depravity 
might have enjoyed an indulgence even to satiety. 

The enemy in New York, are reported to be in 
motion, and we shall probably very soon be called to 
engage in battle. General orders are issued for the 
whole army to be in readiness to march at a moment's 
warning. At 6 o'clock in the morning of the 23d, 
the alarm guns were fired, and the drums throughout 
our camp beat to arms, announcing the approach of 
the enemy ; the whole army is instantly in motion, 
the scene to my contemplation is awfully sublime, yet 
animation and composure, seem to pervade every 
countenance. The present hour is undoubtedly 
pregnant with death and carnage ; every arm is 



240 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

nerved for defence, and every heart, it is presumed, 
fortified to abide its destiny. Soon after the alarm, 
our advanced party, consisting of General Maxwell's 
brigade, and a few militia, discovered the enemy 
advancing towards the village of Springfield. A 
close engagement with the enemy's advance immedi- 
ately ensued ; but being pressed by four times our 
number. General Maxwell, after an obstinate resist- 
ance, was obliged to retreat, till a reinforcement 
could arrive. Our brigade, commanded by General 
Stark, soon joined Maxwell, on the high ground 
near the village of Springfield. Colonel Angel's regi- 
ment, of Rhode Island, with several small parties, 
were posted at a bridge over which the enemy were 
to pass, and their whole force, of five or six thousand 
men, was actually held in check by these brave sol- 
diers for more than forty minutes, amidst the severest 
firing of cannon and musketry. The enemy how- 
ever, with their superior force, advanced into the 
village, and wantonly set fire to the buildings. We 
had the mortification of beholding the church, and 
twenty or thirty dwelling houses and other buildings, 
in a blaze, and they were soon consumed to ashes. 
Having thus completed their great enterprize, and 
acquired to themselves the honor of burning a village, 
they made a precipitate retreat to Elizabeth point, 
and the ensuing night crossed over to Staten island. 
Our brigade was ordered to pursue the retreating 
enemy, but we could not overtake them ; we discover- 
ed several fresh graves, and found fifteen dead bodies, 
which they left in the field, and which we buried. 
We were informed by the inhabitants, that they 
carried off eight or ten wagon loads of dead and 
wounded. Our militia took fifteen prisonei's. Gen- 
eral Knyphausen was the commander, and his force 
consisted of five or six thousand men ; the particular 
object of the expedition is not ascertained ; if it was 
to force their way to Morristown, to destroy our 
magazines and stores, they were disappointed ; if to 



MILITAHY JOURNAL, 1780. 241 

burn the village of Springfield, they are welcome to 
the honor of the exploit. Our troops were com- 
manded by Major General Greene ; not more than 
one thousand were brought into action at any one 
time ; their conduct was marked with the commenda- 
ble coolness and intrepidity of veteran troops. Colo- 
nel Angel's regiment, in a special manner, acquired 
immortal honor, by its unexampled bravery. In the 
heat of the action, some soldiers brought to me in a 
blanket, Captain Lieutenant Thompson of the artille- 
ry, who had received a most formidable wound, a 
cannon ball having passed through both his thighs 
near the knee joint. With painful anxiety, the poor 
man inquired if I would amputate both his thighs ; 
sparing his feelings, I evaded his inquiry, and direct- 
ed him to be carried to the hospital tent in the rear, 
where he would receive the attention of the sur- 
geons. " All that a man hath will he give for his 
life.'' He expired in a few hours. While advanc- 
ing against the enemy, my attention was directed to 
a wounded soldier in the field. I dismounted and 
left my horse at a rail fence, it was not long before 
a cannon ball shattered a rail within a few feet of my 
horse, and some soldiers were sent to take charge of 
the wounded man, and to tell me it was time to 
retire. I now perceived that our party had retreat- 
ed, and our regiment had passed me. I immediately 
mounted and applied spurs to my horse, that I might 
gain the front of our regiment. Colonel Jackson 
being in the rear, smiled as I passed him ; but as my 
duty did not require my exposure, I felt at liberty to 
seek a place of safety. It may be considered a singu- 
lar circumstance, that the soldier above mentioned 
was wounded by the 3vind of a cannon ball. His 
arm was fractured above the elbow, without the 
smallest perceptible injury to his clothes, or contusion 
or discoloration of the skin. He made no complaint, 
but I observed he was feeble and a little confused in 
his mind. He received proper attention, but expir- 
31 



242 MILITARY JOUK-\AI,, 1780. 

ed the next day. The idea of injury by the wind 
of a ball, I learn, is not new, instances of the kind 
have, it is said, occured in naval battles, and are almost 
constantly attended with fatal effects. 

Our troops in camp are in general healthy, but we 
are troubled with many perplexing instances of in- 
disposition, occasioned by absence from home, called 
by Dr. CuUen nostalgia, or home sickness. This 
complaint is frequent among the militia, and recruits 
from New England. They become dull and melan- 
choly, with loss of appetite, restless nights, and great 
weakness. In some instances they become so hypo 
chondriacal as to be proper subjects for the hospital. 
This disease is in many instances cured by the rail- 
lery of the old soldiers, but is generally suspended 
by a constant and active engagement of the mind, as 
by the drill exercise, camp discipline, and by un- 
commoii anxiety, occasioned by the prospect of a 
battle. 

July. — Our brigade marched from Short hills on 
the 25th of June, and arrived at Prackanes, Jer. the 
1st of July. I rode with Dr. Tenney, and Captain 
Hughes, about five miles to take a view of the Passaic 
falls, called by some Totowa falls, which are repre- 
sented as a great natural curiosity. The Passaic river 
runs over large rocky mountains covered with fir trees. 
At this place an immense body of rock would totally 
interrupt its passage, had it not been by some stupen- 
dous power rent in several places from top to bottom, 
forming huge clefts, some of which are twenty or 
thirty feet wide, others not more than two or three, 
and from fifty to seventy feet deep. The depth of 
one of them, it is said, has never been ascertained. 
It is here that the whole torrent of the river falls 
perpendicularly, v^ith amazing violence and rapidity, 
down a rocky precipice of seventy feet, with a 
tremendous roar and foaming. But being interrupt- 
ed in its course, by craggy rocks, it turns abruptly 
to the right, and again to the left, and falling int» 



MILITARY JOURNAL; 1780. 243 

huge cavities below, the whole torrent \anishcs from 
our sight ; but stepping to another precipice a few 
yards distant, we behold the same torrent emerging 
from it subterraneous course and rushing into a large 
basin, or cavern, formed in the rock. This basin 
contains forty fathon^s of water, and is never full, but 
its rocky walls on all sides ascend sixty feet above 
the surface of the water. Such is tlie astonishing 
depth of this receptacle, that the water neither foams 
nor forms whirlpools by the rushing current, but is 
calm and undisturbed. From this basin the water 
rushes through its outlet, reassiuiies the form of a 
river, and in majestic silence pursues its course to- 
wards the sea. 

In the afternoon we were invited to visit another 
curiosity in the neighborhood. This is a monster in 
the human form. He is twenty seven years of age, his 
face from the upper part of his forehead to the end 
of his chin, measures twenty inches, and round the 
upper part of his head is twenty one inches, his eyes 
and nose are remarkably large and prominent, chin 
long and pointed. His features are coarse, irregular 
and disgusting, and his voice is rough and sonorous. 
His body is only twenty seven inches in length, his 
limbs are small, and much deformed, and he has the 
use of one hand only. He has never been able to 
stand, or sit up, as he cannot support the enormous 
weight of his head ; but lies constantly in a large 
cradle, with his head supported on pillows. He is 
visited by great numbers of people, and is peculiarly 
fond of the company of clergymen, always inquiring 
for them among his visitors, and taking great pleasure 
in receiving religious instruction. General Wash- 
ington made him a visit, and asked, " whether he was 
a whig or tory ?'' He replied, that ^^ he had never 
taken an active part on either side.'' 

5th. — I took an excursion a few miles into the coun- 
try, to visit the surgeons of the flying hospital ; took 
tea at their quarters, with a wealthy Dutch family. 



244 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

and was treated with great civility. They live in a 
style superior to the Low Dutch in general ; the table 
was amply furnished with cherries, raspberries and 
other fruits, which abound in this country. 

iOth. — The officers of our regiment, and those of 
Colonel Webb's, united in providing an entertain- 
ment, and invited a respectable number of gentlemen 
of our brigade to dine ; Ur. West and myself were ap- 
pointed caterers and superintendents. W^e erected 
a large arbor, with the boughs of trees, under which 
we enjoyed an elegant diimer, and spent the after- 
noon in social glee, with some of the wine which was 
taken from the enemy when they retreated from 
Elizabeth town. Our drums and fifes afforded us a 
favorite music till evening, wiicn we were delighted 
with the song composed by Mr. liopkinson, called 
the ^^ Battle of the Kegs/*' sung in the best style by 
a number of gentlemen. 

14fh. — An express has arrived at head quarters, 
from Rhode Island, with the pleasing information of 
the arrival there of a French fleet, accompanied by 
an array of six thousand regular French troops, who 
are to co-operate with our army as allies in our cause. 
They are commanded by Count Rochambeau, a dis- 
tinguished general in the French service. 

20th. — In general orders, the Commander in Chief 
congratulates the army, on the arrival of a large land 
and naval armament at Rhode Island, sent by his 
Most Christian Majesty, to co-operate with us against 
the common enemy. The lively concern which our 
allies manifest for our safety and independence, has a 
claim to the affection of every virtuous citizen. The 
general, with confidence assures the army, that the 
officers and men of the French forces, come to our 
aid animated with a zeal founded in sentiment for us, 
as well as in duty to their prince, and that they will 
do every thing in their power to promote harmony 
and cultivate friendship ; he is equally persuaded 
on our part, that we shall vie with them in their good 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 245 

disposition, to which we are excited by gratitude 
as well as by common interest, — and that the only 
contention between the two armies will be to excel 
each other in good offices, and in the display of every 
military virtue. This will be a pledge of the most 
solid advantage to the common cause, and a glorious 
issue to the campaign. The Commander in Chief has 
recommended to the officers of our army, to wear 
cockades of black and white, intermixed, as a symbol 
of friendship for our French allies, who wear white 
cockades. 

'^2(1. — The officers of our regiment received an 
invitation to dine with Major General Lord Stirling. 
We were introduced to his Lordship by Colonel Jack- 
son, and were received with great civility and polite- 
ness. Colonel Biddle and his lady were of the guests. 
Our entertainment was sumptuous and elegant. After 
the covers were removed, the servants brought in 
pails filled with cherries and strawberries, which 
were strewed over the long table ; with these, and 
excellent wine, accompanied by martial music, we 
regaled ourselves till evening. This gentleman's 
proper name is William Alexander, and he is a native 
of the State of New York. He visited Scotland in 
pursuit of the title and estate of an earldom, which 
he claimed as the rightful heir of his ancestor, who 
had this title, and a grant of Nova Scotia, anno, 1621. 
In this pursuit, he expended a large proportion of 
his fortune, but failed in obtaining an acknowledg- 
ment of his claim by the government ; yet, by cour- 
tesy, he bears the title of Lord Stirling. He is con- 
sidered as a brave, intelligent and judicious officer. 
In the battle on Long Island in August, 1776, he 
unfortunately fell into the hands of the enemy ; but 
it occasioned no impeachment of his character and 
conduct. He possesses the genuine principles of 
patriotism, and is strongly attached to General Wash- 
ington. He disclosed to the Commander in Chief, 
the intrigue of General Conway, when in 1777, he 



246 MILITAUY JOURNAL, 1780. 

attempted to supersede his Excellency, saying in liis 
letter, '^ such wicked duplicity of conduct, I shall 
always think it n\y duty to detect." In his personal 
appearance, his lordship is venerable and dignified; 
in his deportment, gentlemanly and graceful ; in con- 
versation, pleasing and interesting.^ He is said to 
be ambitious of the title of lordship. Being pre- 
sent at the execution of a soldier for desertion, the 
criminal at the gallows repeatedly cried out, ^' the 
Lord have mercy on me ;" his lordship with warmth 
exclaimed, ^' I won't, you rascal, I won't have mercy 
on you.'' 

23<7. — Sunday I attended a sermon preached by 
Mr. Blair, chaplain of the artillery. The troops 
were paraded in the open field, the sermon was well 
calculated to inculcate religious principles, and the 
moral virtues. His Excellency General Washington, 
Major Generals Greene and Knox, with a number of 
other oflicers, were present. 

August. — Orders are given for the army to be in 
readiness for a movement. 

According to orders, our brigade marched from 
Prackanes on the 29th of July, and encamped at 
Paramus at night, fifteen miles. The men were ex- 
ceedingly affected with the heat and fatigue. We 
marched on t!ie succeeding day at two o'clock in 
the morning ; at this early hour, the drums beat the 
reveille, which summons us from our hard beds and 
slumbers, in haste we roll np our travelling bed fiir- 
niture, strike our tents, order them thrown into the 
wagons, mount our horses, and with a slow pace 
follow the march of our soldiers, bending under the 
weight of the burden on their backs. We arrived 
at the North river and crossed the ferry, August 1st, 
where we found the whole of our main army collect- 
ing to a point. All the troops from West Point? 
that can be spared, and detachments from different 

* His lordsl)ip died at Albany, January 15«h, 1783, aged fifty seven 
vears. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 247 

Stations, have formed a junction in this vicinity. 
Two brigades have been selected from the diiferent 
regiments in the main army, to form a corps of 
light infantry, to be commanded by the Marquis 
de la Fayette. They have been reviewed by the 
Commander in Chief and other general officers, on 
the grand parade, and are pronounced to be as 
excellent a corps as can be produced in any army. 
The Marquis is delighted with his command, and is 
at his own expense providing for tbem some extra 
equipments. It is understood, that General Clinton 
has despatched a part of the British fleet and army 
on an expedition against our allies, the French fleet 
and army at Rhode Island. The whole of our army 
having crossed to the east side of the Hudson, it 
is conjectured that his Excellency contemplates some 
important enterprize against the enemy at New 
York, or at least to compel General Clinton to recall 
his expedition from Rhode Island, for his own safety. 
Our Commander in Chief has ordered that the army 
disencumber itself of all heavy baggage, which with 
the women and children, are to be immediately sent 
to West Point, and that the troops have constantly 
two days provisions cooked on hand, and hold them- 
selves in readiness to march at a moment's warning. 
Such is our condition for order and regularity, that 
the whole army, which occupies an extent of several 
miles, can be put in motion, and take up a line of 
march in less than one hour. The horses belonging 
to our baggage wagons, and to the artillery, are 
constantly in harness, and those belonging to the 
officers are kept in readiness ; every man, and every 
horse are taught to know their place and their duty. 
Marching orders, so soon as issued, are communicated 
to each brigade and regiment. The whole line of 
encampment resounds with martial music, all is bustle 
and activity, but free from confusion. The dru'ras 
and fifes beating a march, the tents are instantly 
struck and thrown into wagons, the line of march 



248 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

commences, every subordinate ofilcer and soldier 
follows his commander, and whether to rush into 
battle and encounter the dogs of war, or only to ma- 
noeuvre in the field, it is no man's business to know 
or inquire. The secret is wliere it ought to be, in 
the breast of him who directs our destiny, and whom 
it is our pride to obey. Such is the state and 
condition of a well regulated and disciplined army, 
and such only can attain to military fame and glory. 
It is now ascertained, August 4th, that the for- 
midable manoeuvre of our army has effected the ob- 
ject intended. The enemy's expedition to Rhode 
Island has returned to New York, in consequence 
probably of the alarm excited for the safety of that 
city. Orders are now received, for our army to re- 
cross the Hudson to the Jersey shore. Our brigade 
crossed the ferry in the night of the 5th, and en- 
camped in a field about five miles from the ferry. 
The crossing of the whole army, occupied three days 
and nights, during which a vast number of large boats 
and floats were continually in motion. On the 6th, 
marched to Greenbush, and on the 7th and 8th, the 
whole army arrived and encamped at Orangetown. 
The light infiintry, under the Marquis, is constantly 
advanced three miles in front of the army. The 
fatigue, and extreme heat, during this march, have 
produced very unfavorable effects on our troops, and 
they are now becoming sickly. Cholera morbus, 
dysentery and remittent fevers, are the prevailing 
complaints, which demand all my attention. 

9tli. — Dined with the Baron Steuben, and spent 
the afternoon with the guests. The Baron keeps 
a splendid table, and treats his visitors with polite 
attention. Captain William North, of our regiment, 
is one of the aids de camp of the Baron, and has 
ingratiated himself so highly in his favor, that he 
treats him with all the affection of a son. 

A committee from Congress, have again arrived in 
our camp, with the view of investigating the affairs 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 249 

of the arinyj to attend to complaints, and to redress 
grievances, so far as may be in their power ; and they 
will find that their task and duty are not to be envied. 
The regimental surgeons and mates have deputed a 
committee to present a list of our grievances for their 
honors' consideration. We claim of Congress the 
same emoluments and remuneration which are pro- 
mised to the officers of the line of the army. 

14th. — Visited Dr. Cochran, our surgeon general, 
at his quarters in the country, and thence proceeding 
to the light infantry encampment, took tea with 
Major Trescott and Captain Cushing. I accompanied a 
number of officers to Dobb's ferry, where our troops 
are engaged in erecting a block house and batteries, 
to defend the passage at the ferry way. The Hud- 
son at this place is about three miles wide, so that no 
battery can prevent the enemy's shipping from pass- 
ing up the river from New York. 

20th. — Sunday attended a sermon preached by- 
Mr. Enos Hitchcock, chaplain to General Patterson's 
brigade ; the troops were assembled in the open 
field. Mr. Hitchcock is respected as a sensible and 
learned divine, of pure morals and correct principles. 
His patriotic zeal and ardent attachment to his coun- 
try's freedom, induced him to quit his people and 
domestic enjoyments at Beverly, Massachusetts, for 
the turmoil and fatigue of camp. I dined with my 
friends Dr. Skinner and Major Winslow. We are 
again visited with the alarming apprehension of a 
famine ; no meat has been drawn for two days past ; 
no money, no rum, and no contentment among ;^our 
soldiers, great dissatisfaction prevails. 

25 th. — The whole army in this quarter has de- 
camped, the object and destination a secret ; the con- 
jectural object is to procure a supply of provisions, 
and forage, from the inhabitants between the lines, 
which otherwise would go to supply the wants of the 
enemy. All the sick and disabled are left in camp, 
and I am directed to take charge of those belonging 
32 



250 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

to our brigade ; but with this charge I am left en- 
tirely destitute of provisions. Feeling myself autho- 
rized to take a small supply from the inhabitants for 
immediate necessity, I required from a Dutchman four 
sheep from his farm ; as he was offended and made 
some opposition, I was obliged to force them from 
him, giving a receipt, that he might recover a com- 
pensation from the public. 

2Sth. — Our army has returned from below, with a 
large quantity of forage, and provisions of various 
kinds, taken from the disaffected inhabitants on the 
lines. This affords us an important relief, when 
almost in a starving condition. A small party of the 
enemy was discovered near the lines, a slight skirmish 
ensued, and they soon disappeared. 

29th. — I accompanied Captain W. to the village 
of Charlestown, met Major General Schuyler, and 
other gentlemen, at a tavern, with whom we dined. 
Here I learnt that a duel had just been fought be- 
tween Lieutenant 0. and Mr. P. both of Colonel 
Mayland's regiment of dragoons, arid both of whom 
were yesterday on the most intimate terms of friend- 
ship. Mr. 0. killed his antagonist on the spot, and 
received a dangerous wound in his thigh. When I 
visited hira, his wound had been dressed, and I was 
astonished at the calmness and composure with which 
he related all the particulars of this melancholy and 
murderous catastrophe, and the agonizing state of 
mind of his late friend in his dying moments. The 
duel originated in a trivial misunderstanding which 
excited these close friends to assume the character of 
assassins, and to hazard life for life. Nor did 0. dis- 
cover the least sorrow or remorse of conscience, for 
having sacrificed the life of a friend and valuable 
ofllcer, to the mistaken points of honor ! 

30//*. — Another dreadful appeal has this day been 
made to the deadly combat, on a point of honor. The 
parties were Lieutenant S. and Mr. L» a volunteer 
in the army ; the latter gentleman fell and instantly 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 251 

expired ; his murderer escaped uninjured. Thus 
have two valuable lives been sacrificed within two 
days, to what is termed principles of honor, or rather 
to the vindictive spirit of malice and revenge. Is 
there no remedy for this fashionable folly, this awful 
blindness and perversion of mind, this barbarous and 
infernal practice, this foul stain on the history of 
man ! The following anecdote is in point. The 
practice of duelling had become alarming in the 
Prussian army, and the great Frederic was desirous 
of checking its progress. Two officers of high rank 
had engaged to meet in personal combat. The king 
commanded that they should fight in his presence, 
and at a time and place which he appointed. When 
the parties appeared, they were astonished to find 
the whole army paraded to witness the combat, a 
gallows erected, and a halter and coffins prepared. 
The king now commanded that they should decide 
their fate in his presence, and that the survivor should 
be instantly hung on the gallows. The two cham- 
pions were appalled, and glad to implore his majes- 
ty's forgiveness; and this example proved an effec- 
tual remedy against duelling in the Prussian army. 

September. — Intelligence of an unpleasant and 
distressing nature, has just reached us from South 
Carolina. Our southern army, under the command 
of Major General Gates, has been totally defeated, in 
a general action with Lord Cornwallis, on the 19th of 
August. General Gates, as is reported, retreated 
with precipitation to the distance of eighty miles, to 
escape the pursuit of the enemy. This mortifying 
disaster gives a severe shock to our army, as it must 
be productive of the most important and serious 
consequences as it respects the welfare of the South- 
ern states. In his letter to the President of Congress, 
General Gates says, " In the deepest distress and 
anxiety of mind, I am obliged to acquaint your Ex- 
cellency with the defeat of the troops under my 
command." The letter states that the continental 



252 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

troops displayed their usual courage and bravery, 
but at the first onset of the enemy, the whole body 
of militia became panic struck, were completely rout- 
ed and ran like a torrent, bearing all before them, 
and leaving the continentals to oppose the whole 
force of the enemy. This victory was not obtain- 
ed w^ithout loss on the part of the foe, they having 
upwards of five hundred men, with officers in pro- 
portion, killed and wounded. The whole number 
of continental officers killed, wounded and missing, 
is forty eight. Among the killed, is Baron de Kalb, 
a^major general ; while leading on the Maryland and 
Delaware troops, he was pierced with eleven wounds, 
and soon after expired. He was a German by birth, 
a brave and meritorious officer, a knight of the order 
of military merit, and a brigadier general in the 
armies of France. He had served three years, with 
high reputation, in the American army. General 
Gates' command in this army is said to consist of 
three thousand, of which number were only nine 
hundred continental regulars. The royalists, under 
Lord Cornvvallis, were upwards of three thousand 
two hundred, and a great part of them regular troops. 
This very unfortunate event has given an impression 
universally unfavorable to the character and conduct 
of General Gates, as he has disappointed the high 
expectations of the public. He is indeed a painful 
example of the vicissitudes of the fortune of war ; 
but it ought not to be expected that an officer should 
be held accountable for the strokes of fortune ; nor 
for the effects of superior force or address in the 
enemy. Considering the former high character and 
meritorious services of the general, we cannot justly 
suspect him to be chargeable with any deficiency 
in point of integrity or conduct, and time and inves- 
tigation must decide how far he has been guilty of 
any culpable error. 

5th. — Our army marched from Orangetown, and 
encamped at Steenrapie, yesterday. It is mortifying 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 253 

that our stock of provisions is again exliaiisted ; tlie 
soldiers have for several days drawn nothing but one 
pound of flour a man. 

Sth. — I had again the honor of dining at the table of 
Baron Steuben, in company with a number of officers. 
Notwithstanding the scarcity of provisions in camp, 
the baron's table continues to be well supplied ; his 
generosity is unbounded. 

10^^. — We are now lamenting the loss of Brigadier 
General Poor, who died last night of putrid fever. 
His funeral solemnities have been attended this after- 
noon. The corpse was brought this morning from 
Paramus, and left at a house about a mile from the 
burying yard at Hackinsack, whence it was attended 
to the place of iuterment by the following procession ; 
a regiment of light infantry, in uniform, with arms 
reversed ; four field pieces ; Major Lee's regiment 
of light horse ; General Hand and his brigade ; the 
Major on horseback ; two chaplains; the horse of 
the deceased, with his boots and spurs suspended 
from the saddle, led by a servant ; the corpse, borne 
by four Serjeants, and the pall supported by six 
general officers. The coffin was of mahogany, and a 
pair of pistols and two swords, crossing each other 
and tied with black crape, were placed on the top. 
The corpse was followed by the officers of the New 
Hampshire brigade ; the officers of the brigade of 
light infantry, which the deceased had lately com- 
manded. Other officers fell in promiscuously, and were 
followed by his Excellency General Washington, and 
other general officers. Having arrived at the burying 
yard, the troops opened to the right and left, resting 
on their arms reversed, and the procession passed to 
the grave, where a short eulogy was delivered by the 
Reverend Mr. Evang. A band of music, with a num- 
ber of drums and fifes^ played a funeral dirge, the 
drums were muffled with black crape, and the offi- 
cers in the procession wore crape round the left arm. 
The regiment of light infantry, were in handsome 



254 MILlTAnV JOURNAL, 1780. 

uniform, and wore in their caps, long feathers of 
black and red. The elegant regiment of hoi*se, com- 
manded by Major Lee, being in complete uniform 
and well disciplined, exhibited a martial and noble 
appearance. No scene can exceed in grandeur and 
solemnity a military funeral. The weapons of war 
reversed, and embellished with the badges of mourn- 
ing, the slow and regular step of the procession, the 
mournful sound of the unbraced drum and deep toned 
instruments, playing the melancholy dirge, the majes- 
tic mien and solemn march of the war horse, all con- 
spire to impress the mind with emotions which no 
language can describe, and which nothing but the 
reality can paint to the liveliest imagination. General 
Poor was from the state of New Hampshire. He 
was a true patriot, who took an early part in the 
cause of his country, and during his military career, 
was respected for his talents and his bravery, and 
beloved for the amiable qualities of his heart. But 
it is a sufficient eulogy to say, that he enjoyed the 
confidence and esteem of Washington. 

11th. — We had a most violent shower of rain, ac- 
companied with tremendous peals of thunder and 
lightning ; we were obliged to quit our beds in the 
night, but no part of our marquee could shield us 
from the drenching rain, — not a blanket about us re- 
mained dry. 

12th. — A soldier was executed for robbery ; he 
was one of five who broke into a house with their 
arms, and robbed the inhabitants of a sum of money 
and many valuable articles. He conducted with for- 
titude at the gallows. 

VSth. — The army was paraded to be reviewed by 
General Washington, accompanied by a number of 
Indian chiefs. His Excellency, mounted on his noble 
bay charger, rode in front of the line of the army, 
and received the usual salute. Six Indian chiefs 
followed in his train, appearing as the most disgust- 
ing and contemptible of the human race ; their faces 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 255 

painted of various colors, their hair twisted into 
bunches on the top of their heads, and dressed in a 
miserable Indian habit, some with a dirty blanket 
over the shoulders, and others almost naked. They 
were mounted on horses of the poorest kind, with un- 
dressed sheep skins, instead of saddles, and old ropes 
for bridles. These bipeds could not refrain from 
the indulgence of their appetites for rum on this 
occasion, and some of them fell from their horses, on 
their return to head quarters. This tribe of Indians 
is friendly to America, and it is good policy to show 
them some attention, and give them an idea of the 
strength of our army. 

20^/i. — The army decamped from Steenrapie this 
morning, and encamped at Orangetown, or Tappan. 
His Excellency General Washington, with the Mar- 
quis de la Fayette and General Knox, with a splendid 
retinue, left camp on the 17th instant, bound to Hart- 
ford in Connecticut, to have an interview with the 
commanding officers of the French fleet and army, 
which have lately arrived at Rhode Island. 

I have just been introduced to three young cler- 
gymen, from Connecticut, Mr. Lockwood, Mr. Ely, 
and Mr. Joel Barlow ; the latter is a chaplain in the 
Connecticut line, and is said to possess a poetical ge- 
nius. Being present when he made a prayer in pub- 
lic, it was remarked that his performance was very 
ordinary, and it was replied that the gentleman had 
not been much accustomed to public performances, 
and that he was more calculated to attain to eminence 
in the art of poetry, than in the clerical profession. 

2lst. — Major General Greene succeeds to the com- 
mand of our army, in the absence of his Excellency 
General Washington. This gentleman is a native of 
the state of Rhode Island. His father was an anchor 
smith, and his business in that line was very exten- 
sive. He was a member of the society of Friends, 
and when about to engage in a military station, they 
remonstrated with him, as war was a violation of the 



256 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

established principles of their sect. But his patrio- 
tism and ardent zeal for the cause of liberty, were 
irresistible, and he was, at the age of thirty, appoint- 
ed a brigadier general, by his government, in the year 
1775. After the battle of Lexington, actuated by 
a native martial ardor, he repaired to Cambridge, 
and with the troops under his command, joined 
the continental army under General Washington. 
General Greene has conducted in a manner to meet 
the expectations and full approbation of the public, 
and has been promoted to the rank of major general. 
By his military talents, skill and judgment, he has 
acquired a character of the highest order, and is 
held in respect and estimation throughout the array, 
as second only to the Commander in Chief. It is the 
prevailing sentiment, that if in any event of Provi- 
dence we should be deprived of our chief comman- 
der. General Greene, is of all others, the most suita- 
ble character to be his successor ; and in this senti- 
ment there is the greatest reason to believe that the 
illustrious Washington himself would readily coin- 
cide. 

26^A. — At three o'clock this morning, an alarm was 
spread throughout our camp. Two regiments, from 
the Pennsylvania line, were ordered to march imme- 
diately to West Point, and the whole army to be held 
in readiness to march at a moment's warning. It was 
soon ascertained that this sudden movement was in 
consequence of the discovery of one of the most ex- 
traordinary events in modern history, and in which 
the interposition of Divine Providence is remarka- 
bly conspicuous. It is the treacherous conspiracy 
of Major General Arnold, and the capture of Major 
John Andre, adjutant general to the British army. 
The army being paraded this morning, the following 
communication in the orders of General Greene, was 
read by the adjutants to their respective regiments. 
*^ Treason, of the blackest dye, was yesterday dis- 
covered. General Arnold, who commanded at West 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 257 



Point, lost to every sentiment of honor, of private and 
public obligation, was about to deliver up that impor- 
tant post into the hands of the enemy. Such an event 
must have given the American cause a dangerous, if 
not a fatal wound ; happily the treason has been timely 
discovered, to prevent the fatal misfortune. The pro- 
vidential train of circumstances, which led to it, af- 
fords the most convincing proofs that the liberties of 
America, are the object of Divine protection. At 
the same time that the treason is to be regretted, the 
general cannot help congratulating the army on the 
happy discovery. Our enemies, despairing of carry- 
ing their point by force, are practising every base 
art, to effect by bribery and corruption, what they 
cannot accomplish in a manly way. Great honor is 
due to the American army, that this is the first in- 
stance of treason of the kind, where many were to 
be expected from the nature of our dispute ; the 
brightest ornament in the character of the American 
soldiei^, is, their having been proof against all the 
arts and seductions of an insidious enemy. Arnold 
has made his escape to the enemy, but Major Andre, 
the adjutant general in the British army, who 
came out as a spy, to negotiate the business, is our 
prisoner.'"' 

West Point is situated in the midst of the high- 
lands, on the west side of the Hudson, sixty miles 
above New York, and seven below Fishkill. It is 
a stiongly fortified castle, which, with its dependen- 
cies, is considered by General Washington as the key 
which locks the communication between the eastern 
and southern states ; and of all the posts in the 
United States, this is the most important. The posi- 
tion is remarkably well calculated by nature for a de- 
fensive post, being on a bend of the river with rocky 
ridges rising one above another, and the lofty sum- 
mit is covered with a range of redoubts and batteries, 
planned by the most skilful engineers. The most 
elevated and formidable fortress, is erected on a natu^ 
33 



358 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

ral platform of rocks very steep, and almost inacces- 
sible on every side ; this is called '^ Fort Putnam," 
from the general who had the principal share in its 
plan and construction. It overlooks the whole plain 
below, and commands a landscape view thirty miles 
in extent, the Hudson having the appearance of a 
vast canal, cut through huge mountains. As addi- 
tional security, an iron chain of immense strength, is 
thrown across at the short bend of the river, and 
fixed to huge blocks on each shore, and under the 
fire of batteries on both sides the river. The links 
of this chain are about twelve inches wide, and eigh- 
teen long, the bars about two inches square. It is 
buoyed up by very large logs, of about sixteen feet 
long, pointed at the ends to lessen their opposition 
to the force of the current, at flood and ebb tide. 
The logs are placed at short distances from each 
other, the chain carried over them and made fast to 
each by staples. There are also a number of an- 
chors dropped at proper distances, with cables made 
fast to the chain to give it a greater stability. Such 
is the formidable state and strength of this post, that 
it has received the appellation of the American Gib- 
raltar, and when properly guarded, may bid defiance 
to an army of twenty thousand men. General Arnold 
was well apprized of the great importance of this for- 
tress ; no position in America could afford the British 
greater advantages. It commands the whole extent 
of country on the Hudson, from New York to Canada, 
and secures a communication between the eastern and 
southern states. 

From the commencement of the American war, 
General Arnold has been viewed in the light of a 
brave and heroic officer, having exhibited abundant 
proof of his military ardor, and invincible temper. 
He has fought in various battles, with an intrepid gal- 
lantry which cannot be exceeded, and it is from his 
bravery in the field, more than any intrinsic merit, 
that his character and fame have been established. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 259 

His meritorious services have been amply rewarded 
by his promotion to the rank of major general, but 
his name will now be transmitted to posterity with 
marks of infamy, and the pages of our history will 
be tarnished by the record of crimes, of the most 
atrocious character, by a native of our land. After 
the evacuation of Philadelphia by the British, Arnold 
was appointed to the command in that city, and such 
was his conduct, as respects both his official station, 
and individual concerns, that his former standing and 
important services, could no longer shield him from 
public odium, and the just censure of the govern- 
ment.* Being afterward, by his own solicitation, 
entrusted with the command of the post at West 
Point, he engaged in a secret correspondence with 
Sir Henry Clinton, and actually agreed to put him in 
possession of this very important garrison. The Bri- 
tish general, ever ready to avail himself of treachery, 
to accomplish an object which he could not achieve 
by the strength of his arras, selected Major John An- 
dre, his adjutant general and aid de camp, to have a 
personal interview with the traitor, to mature the 
plan, and make arrangements for the surrender of the 
post. A British sloop of war, called the Vulture, 
came up the North river, and anchored near King's 
ferry, about twelve miles below West Point. On 
board of this vessel were a Colonel Robinson, and 
Major Andre, under the assumed name of John An- 
derson. A communication was now maintained be- 
tween Arnold, and the persons on board the Vulture, 
without exciting the least suspicion of treasonable de- 
signs. But a personal interview was found necessa- 
ry, and the place chosen for this purpose was the 
beach near the house of Joshua Smith, Esquire, who 
has long been suspected of a predilection for the Bri- 
tish interest. In the night of the 21st instant. Smith, 
by the desire of Arnold, went with a boat, rowed by 

* See life of Arnold in the Append!?. 



260 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

some men employed on his farm, and brought Major 
Andre, alias John Anderson, on shore, where he was 
received by Arnold, and conducted to the house of 
Smith, within our lines. Andre remained concealed 
at Smith's house till the following night, when he 
became extremely anxious to return on board the 
Vulture ; but the boatmen, whom Arnold and Smith 
had seduced to bring him on shore the preceding 
night, could not be prevailed on to reconduct him 
on board, as the Vulture had been driven from her 
station by a cannon on shore. Finding it impossible 
to procure a boat and men for the purpose, it was re- 
solved that Andre should return to New York by 
land, to which he reluctantly submitted, as the only 
alternative, to escape the danger into which he had 
been betrayed. For this hazardous attempt Arnold 
and Smith furnished him with a horse, and with 
clothes, in exchange for his military uniform ; and 
Arnold gave him a passport under the fictitious name 
of John Anderson, as being on public business. Thus 
prepared, and accompanied by Smith pai't of the 
way, he proceeded on his journey. The passport 
served liis purpose till he got beyond all our out 
posts and guards, without suspicion. They lodged 
together at Crompond that night, and Smith having 
given him directions about the road, left him the next 
morning, within about (hirty miles of New York. 
Having arrived at Tarrytown, however, near the lines 
of the royal army, Andre was arrested by one of 
three men, who were patrolling between the out 
posts of the two armies. He held his horse by the 
bridle, till his two companions came from their con- 
cealment, to his assistance. This was the moment 
which was to decide the fate of the adjutant general 
of the royal army. Alarmed and disconcerted, in- 
stead of producing his passport, he asked where they 
belonged ? they replied, " To below," alluding to 
New York, " And so do I,'' said Andre, " I am a 
'British officer, en urgent business, and must not be 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 261 

detained." He was soon, however, undeceived, and 
confounded on being obliged to yield himself a pris- 
oner, and finding his passport, though having the 
authority of Arnold's signature, availed him nothing. 
His captors suspecting that they had taken a val- 
uable prize, resolved to hold him in durance, and 
realize his worth. The unfortunate prisoner now pro- 
duced his gold watch, and said, " this will convince 
you that I am a gentleman, and if you will suffer me 
to pass, I will send to New York, and give you any 
amount you shall name, in cash, or in dry goods ;"* 
and, pointing to an adjacent wood, " you may keep 
me in that wood till it shall be delivered to you." 
All his offers, however, were rejected with disdain, 
and they declared that ten thousand guineas, or any 
other sum, would be no temptation. It is to their 
virtue, no less glorious to ^mei^ica, than Arnold's 
apostacy is disgraceful, that his detestable crimes are 
discovered. Their names are John Paulding, David 
Williams, and Isaac Van Vert.f Taking their priso- 
ner into the bushes, to undergo a search and exami- 
nation, they found concealed in his boots, the impor- 
tant papers, containing exact returns of the state of 
the forces, ordnance and defences at West Point, and 
its dependencies, with critical remarks on the works, 
with a return of the number of troops at West Point, 

* English goods were, at that time, more valuable than gold or silver. 
It has in general been understood, that Andre offered bis captors bis 
horse, his purse, and a valuable watch, but Dr. Eustis assures mc that 
the above are the facts, as stated to him by Isaac Van Vert, who first 
stopped Andre. 

t Congress resolved " That they have a high sense of the virtuous and 
patriotic conduct of John Paulding, David Williams, and Isaac Van 
Vert, In testimony whereof, ordered, that each of them receive annu- 
ally, two hundred dollars in specie, or an equivalent in the current 
money of these States, during life, and that the Board of War be direct- 
ed to procure each of them a silver medal, on one side of which shall be 
a shield with this inscription, Fidelily, and on the other, the following 
motto, Vincit amor Patrice, and forward them to the commander in 
chief, who is requested to present the same with a copy of this resolu- 
tion, and the thanks of Congress for their fidelily, and the eminent ser- 
vice they have rendered their country. 



262 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

and their distribution ; copies of confidential letters 
from General Washington, &c. &c., all in the hand 
writing of General Arnold. Besides which, it is as- 
certained that the traitor carried with him to the in- 
terview, a general plan of West Point and its vicini- 
ty, and all the works, and also particular plans of 
each work on a large scale, elegantly drawn by the 
engineer at that post. But these were not given up 
to Major Andre, it is supposed they were to be de- 
livered at a future time. The captors now very 
properly delivered their prisoner, with the papers 
found on him, into the hands of Lieutenant Colonel 
Jameson, the commanding officer on our lines. An- 
dre, with the view, no doubt, of giving Arnold an 
opportunity to escape, had the address to induce 
Colonel Jameson to inform the traitor, by letter, that 
John Anderson was taken on his way to New York. 
It is probable that Colonel Jameson had not examined 
the papers in his possession, or it may well be suppos- 
ed, that having such ample evidence before him, he 
would have hesitated before complying with this re- 
quest ; but unsuspicious of treachery, and under the 
embarrassment of the moment, as though his mind 
was bewildered, or devoid of reason, he immediately 
despatched an express to Arnold, at Robinson's house, 
with the intelligence. 

After sufficient time had elapsed for Arnold to 
receive the information and make his escape. Major 
Andre declared himself, to Colonel Jameson, to be the 
Adjutant General of the British army. Sensible of 
the finesse which had been practised on him. Col- 
onel Jameson now despatched an express to meet 
General Washington, on his return from Hartford to 
Arnold's quarters, with an account of the capture of 
Major Andre, and the papers which were found on 
him, and this was accompanied by a letter from the 
prisoner disclosing to his Excellency his real charac- 
ter and condition, and relating the manner of his 
capture, &c. It unfortunately happened that the ex- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 263 

press took a different road and missed of meeting the 
Commander in Chief, and Arnold first received the 
information about ten o'clock on the morning of the 
15th instant. At this moment Major Shaw and Dr. 
McHenry, two of his Excellency's aids, had arrived 
and were at breakfast at Arnold's table. His confu- 
sion was visible, but no one could devise the cause. 
Struck with the pressing danger of his situation, ex- 
pecting General Washington would soon arrive, the 
guilty traitor called instantly for a " horse, any oncy 
even if a ivagon horse,^^ — bid a hasty adieu to his 
wife and enjoined a positive order on the messenger 
not to inform that he was the bearer of a letter from 
Colonel Jameson, and having repaired to his barge, he 
ordered the cockswain with eight oarsmen to proceed 
down the river, and he was soon on board the Vulture, 
which Andre had left two nights before, and which 
immediately sailed with her prize for New York. 
General Washington arrived about twelve o'clock, 
and was informed that Arnold had absented himself, 
saying he was going to West Point, and should soon 
return. His Excellency passed over the river to 
view the works there, but not finding Arnold at his 
post he returned in the hope of meeting him at his 
quarters. But here he was again disappointed, for 
no person could account for his absence. Mrs. 
Arnold was now in her chamber, in great agitation 
and distress, deprived of her reason, and Dr. Eustis 
in attendance. At a lucid interval she inquired of 
the doctor if General Washington was in the house, 
desiring to see him. Believing that she intended 
to say something which would explain the secret of 
Arnold's unaccountable absence he hastened below, 
and conducted the general to her chamber, who re- 
mained no longer than to hear her deny that he was 
General Washington, and to witness the return of 
her distraction. His Excellency sat down to dine, but 
soon rose from table with apparent agitation, called 
out Colonel Lamb, the commander of artillery at 



264 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

West Point, and expressed to him his suspicion that 
Arnold had deserted to the enemy. In less than 
two hours it was ascertained that the conjecture was 
too well founded, for the despatches arrived from 
Colonel Jameson, with an account of the capture of 
Major Andre, accompanied by his own letter of con- 
fession. Major Andre was conducted to West Point, 
and thence to head quarters at Tappan, and a board, 
consisting of fourteen general officers, is constituted 
and directed to sit on the 29th instant, for his trial. 
It was to be expected that Sir Henry Clinton, would 
make every possible overture and exertion with the 
hope of rescuing his friend, and the adjutant general 
of his army, from an ignominious death. Accord- 
ingly he addressed General Washington, claimed the 
release of Major Andre, alleging that he ought not to 
be considered in the character of a spy, as he had 
a passport from, and was transacting business under 
the sanction of General Arnold ; but arguments so 
obviously absurd and futile could have no influence, 
and the prisoner was ordered before the military 
tribunal for trial, and the following are the particu- 
lars of their proceedings. 

Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British 
army, was bro\ight before the board, and the following 
letter from General Washington to the board, dated 
Head Quarters, Tappan, September 29th, 1780, was 
laid before them and read. 

Gentlemen, 

^" Major Andre, Adjutant General to the British 
army, will be brought before you, for your examina- 
tion. He came within our lines in the night, on an 
interview with Major General Arnold, and in an 
assumed character ; and was taken within our lines, 
in a disguised habit, with a pass under a feigned 
name, and with the enclosed papers concealed on 
him. After a careful examination, you will be pleased 
as speedily as possible to report a precise state of 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 265 

his case, together with your opinion of the light in 
which he ought to be considered, and the punishment 
that ought to be inflicted. The Judge Advocate will 
attend to assist in the examination, who has sundry 
other papers relative to this matter, which he will 
lay before the Board. 

I have the honor to be, Gentlemen, your 

most obedient and humble servant, 

G. Washington. 
To the Board of General Officers, 

convened at Tappan. 

The names of the officers composing the Board 
were read to Major Andre, with the following letter 
of his to General Washington, namely : 

Salem, 24th September, 1780. 
« Sir, 

" What I have as yet said, concerning myself, was 
in the justifiable attempt to be extricated ; I am too 
little accustomed to duplicity to have succeeded. 

" I beg your Excellency will be pei'suaded, that no 
alteration in the temper of my mind, or apprehen- 
sion for my safety, induces me to take the step of 
addressing you, but that it is to secure myself from 
an imputation of having assumed a mean character 
for treacherous purposes or self interest — a conduct 
incompatible with the principles that actuated me, 
as well as with my condition in life. 

" It is to vindicate my fame, that I speak, and not 
to solicit security. 

^' The person in your possession, is Major John 
Andre, Adjutant General to the British army. 

^^ The influence of one commander in the army of 
his adversary is an advantage taken in war. I agreed 
to meet on ground not within the posts of either army, 
a person who was to give me intelligence ; I came 
up in the Vulture, man of war, for this effect, and was 
fetched by a boat from the shore to the beach : being 
34 



266 MILITARY JOUIl^ALJ 1780. 

there, I was told that the approach of day would 
prevent my return, and that I must be concealed till 
the next night. I was in my regimentals and had 
fairly risked my person. 

" Against my stipulation, my intention, and with- 
out my knowledge before hand, I was conducted 
within one of your posts. Your Excellency may con- 
ceive my sensation on this occasion, and will imagine 
how much more I must have been affected by a re- 
fusal to reconduct me back the next night, as I had 
been brought. Thus become a prisoner, I had to 
concert my escape. / quitted my uniform, and 
was passed another way in the night, without the 
American posts to neutral ground, and informed, I 
was beyond all armed parties and left to press for 
New York. I was taken at Tarrytow^n by some 
volunteers. 

" Thus as I have had the honor to relate, was I 
betrayed into the vile condition of an enemy in dis- 
guise within your posts. 

'* Having avowed myself a British officer, I have 
nothing to reveal but what relates to myself, which 
is true on the honor of an officer and a gentle- 
man. 

" The request I have to make your Excellency, 
and I am conscious I address myself well, is that in 
any rigor which policy may dictate, a decency of 
conduct towards me, may evince that though unfor- 
tunate, I am branded with nothing dishonorable, as 
no motive could be nune but the service of my king^ 
and as 1 was involuntarily an impostor. 

" Another request is, that I may be permitted 
to write an open letter to Sir Henry Clinton, and 
another to a friend for clothes and linen. 

*' I take the liberty to mention the condition of 
some gentlemen at Charleston, who, being either on 
parole or under protection, were engaged in a con- 
spiracy against us. Though their situation is not 
similar, they are objects who may be set in exchange 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 267 

for me, or are persons whom the treatment I receive 
might affect. 

" It is no less, Sir, in a confidence in the genero- 
sity of your mind, than on account of your superior 
station, that I have cliosen to importune you with 
this letter. I have the honor to be, with great re- 
spect. Sir, your Excellency's most obedient and most 
humble servant, 

John Andre, Adjutant General." 
His Excellency General Washington, <^c. <^*c. &;c. 

and on being asked whether he confessed or denied 
the matters contained in this letter, he acknowledged 
the letter, and in addition stated, that he came on 
shore from the Vulture, sloop of war, in the night 
of the 21st of September, instant, somewhere under 
the Haverstraw Mountain. That the boat he came 
on shore in, carried no flag, and that he had on 
a siirtout coat over his regimentals, and that he 
wore his surtout coat when he was taken. That he 
met General Arnold on the shore, and had an inter- 
view with him there. He also said, that when 
he left the Vulture, sloop of war, it was under- 
stood, he was to return that night ; but it was then 
doubted, and if he could not return, he was promised 
to be concealed on shore in a place of safety till the 
next night, when he was to return in the same manner 
he came on shore, and when the next day came, he 
was solicitous to get back, and made inquiries in the 
course of the day how he should return, when he 
was informed he could not return that way, and 
he must take the route he did afterwards. He also 
said, that the first notice he had of his being within 
any of our posts, was, his being challenged by the 
sentry, which was the first night he was on shore. 
He also said, that in the evening of the 22d of Sep- 
tember, instant, he passed King^s ferry, between our 
posts of Stony and VerplanK s Points, in the dress 
he is at present in, and which he said was not his 



268 AIILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

regimentals, and which dress he procured after he 
landed from the Vulture, and when he was within 
our post, and that he was proceeding to New York, 
but was arrested at Tarrytown, as he has mentioned 
in his letter, on Saturday, the 23d of September, 
instant, about nine o'clock in the morning. 

The Board having interrogated Major Andre, 
about his conception of his coming on shore under 
the sanction of a flag, he said, that it was impossible 
for him to suppose he came on shore under that 
sanction, and added, that if he came on shore under 
that sanction, he certainly might have returned un- 
der it. 

Major Andre having acknowledged the preceding- 
facts, and being asked whether he had any thing to 
say respecting them, answered, he left them to oper- 
ate with the Board. 

The examination of Major Andre being concluded, 
he was remanded into custody. 

^^ The Board having considered the letter from his 
Excellency, General Washington, respecting Major 
Andre, Adjutant General to the British army, the 
confession of Major Andre, and the papers produced 
to them, report to his Excellency, the Commander 
in Chief, the following facts, which appear to them 
relative to Major Andre. First, that he came on 
shore from the Vulture, sloop of war, in the night of 
the 21st of September, instant, on an interview with 
General Arnold, in a private and secret manner. 
Secondly, that he changed his dress within our lines 
and under a feigned name, and disguised habit, pass- 
ed our works at Stony and Verplank's Points, in the 
evening of the 22d of September, instant, and was 
taken the morning of the 23d of September, at Tarry- 
town, in a disguised habit, being then on his way to 
New York ; and when taken he had in his posses- 
sion several papers which contained intelligence for 
the enemy. The Board having maturely considered 
these facts, do also report to his Excellency General 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 269 

Washington, that Major Andre, Adjutant General 
to the British army, ought to be considered as a spy 
from the enemy, and that agreeably to the law and 
usage of nations it is their opinion he ought to suffer 
death." 

Signed, 
Nathaniel Greene, Major General and President. 
Stirling, " 

St. Clair, « 

La Fayette, " 

R. Howe, " . 

Steuben, " 

Samuel H. Parsons, Brigadier General. 

Artillery. 



James Clinton, 


a 


a 


Henry Knox, 


a 


a 


John Glover, 


a 


a 


John Paterson, 


a 


a 


Edward Hand, 


a 


a 


John Huntington, 


a 


a 


John Stark, 


a 


a 



John Lawrence, Judge Advocate General. 

Head Quarters, 
September 30th, 1780. 

" The Commander in Chief approves of the opinion 
of the Board of General Officers, respecting Major 
Andre, and orders that the execution of Major Andre 
take place tomorrow, at five o'clock, p. m." 

During the trial of this unfortunate officer, he con- 
ducted with unexampled magnanimity and dignity 
of character. He very freely and candidly confessed 
all the circumstances relative to himself, and carefully 
avoided every expression that might have a tendency 
to implicate any other person. So firm and dignified 
was he in his manners, and so honorable in all his 
proceedings on this most trying occasion, that he 
excited universal interest in his favor. He request* 



270 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

ed only to die the death of a soldier, and not on a 
gibbet. The following is a copy of a very pathetic 
letter from Major Andre to General Washington, 
dated 

Tappan, October 1st, 1780. 
" Sir, 

^^ Buoyed above the terrors of death, by the con- 
sciousness of a life devoted to honorable pursuits, and 
stained with no action that can give me remorse, I 
trust that the request I make to your Excellency at 
this serious period, and which is to soften my last 
moments, will not be rejected. Sympathy towards a 
soldier will surely induce your Excellency, and a 
military tribunal, to adapt the mode of my death to 
the feelings of a man of honor. Let me hope. Sir, 
if aught in my character impresses you with esteem 
towards me, if aught in my misfortunes marks me as 
the victim of policy, and not of resentment, I shall 
experience the operation of these feelings in your 
breast by being informed that I am not to die on a 
gibbet. 

I have the honor to be your Excellency's most 
obedient and most humble servant, 

John Andre, Adjutant General 
to the British army. 

This moving letter, as may be supposed, affected 
the mind of General Washington with the tenderest 
sympathy, and it is reported that he submitted it to 
a council of general officers, who decided that as 
M;ijor Andre was condemned as a spy, the' circum- 
stances of the case would not admit of the request 
being granted, and his Excellency, from a desire to 
spare the feelings of the unfortunate man, declined 
making a reply to the letter. 

October 1st. — I went this afternoon to witness the 
execution of Major Andre, — a large concourse of 
people had assembled, the gallows was erected, and 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 271 

the grave and coffin prepared to receive the remains 
of this celebrated but unlbrtunate officer ; but a flag of 
truce arrived with a communication from Sir Henry 
Clinton making another and further proposals for the 
release of Major Andre, in consequence of which 
the execution is postponed till tomorrow, at twelve 
o'clock. 

The flag which came out this morning brought Gen- 
eral Robertson, Andrew Eliot, and VViiliam Smith, 
Esquires, for the ])urpose of pleading for the release 
of Major Andre, the royal army being in the greatest 
affliction o\\ the occasion. The two latter gentlemen, 
not being military officers, were not permitted to 
land, but General Greene was appointed by his Ex- 
cellency to meet General Robertson at Dobb's ferry 
and to receive his communications. He had nothing 
material to urge but that Andre had come on shore 
under the sanction of a flag, and therefore could not 
be considered as a spy. But this is not true ; he 
came on shore in the night and had no flag, on busi- 
ness totally incompatible with the nature of a flag. 
Besides, Andre himself, candidly confessed on his 
trial, that he did not consider himself under the sanc- 
tion of a flag. General Robertson, having foiled in his 
point, requested that the opinion of disinterested 
persons might be taken, and proposed Generals 
Knyphausen, and Rochambeau as proper persons. 
After this he had recourse to threats of retaliation 
on some people in New York and Charleston, but 
he was told that such conversation could neither be 
heard nor understood. He next urged the release 
of Andre on motives of humanity, saying, he wished 
an intercourse of such civilities as might lessen the 
horrors of war, and cited instances of General Clin- 
ton's merciful disposition, adding that Andre possess- 
ed a great share of that gentleman's aftection and 
esteem, and that he would be infinitely obliged if he 
w^as spared. He off'ered, that if his earnest wishes 
were complied with, to engage that any prisoner in 



272 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

their possession, whom General Washington might 
name, should immediately be set at liberty. But it 
must be viewed as the height of absurdity that Gen- 
eral Robertson should, on this occasion, suffer himself 
to be the bearer of a letter which the vile traitor 
had the consummate eifrontery to write to General 
Washington. This insolent letter is filled with 
threats of retaliation, and the accountability of his 
Excellency for the torrents of blood that might be 
spilt if he should order the execution of Major 
Andre. It should seem impossible that General 
Robertson could suppose that such insolence would 
receive any other treatment than utter contempt. 

October 2d. — Major Andre is no more among the 
living. I have just witnessed his exit. It was a 
tragical scene of the deepest interest. During his 
confinement and trial, he exhibited those proud and 
elevated sensibilities which designate greatness and 
dignity of mind. Not a murmur or a sigh ever 
escaped him, and the civilities and attentions bestow- 
ed on him were politely acknowledged. Having left 
a mother and two sisters in England, he was heard 
to mention them in terms of the tenderest affection, 
and in his letter to Sir Henry Clinton, he recom- 
mends them to his particular attention. 

The principal guard oflicer who was constantly in 
the room with the prisoner, relates that when the 
hour of his execution was announced to him in the 
morning, he received it without emotion, and while 
all present were affected with silent gloom, he retain- 
ed a firm countenance, with calmness and composure 
of mind. Observing his servant enter the room in 
tears, he exclaimed, " leave me till you can show 
yourself more manly." His breakfast being sent to 
him from the table of General Washington, which 
had been done every day of his confinement, he 
partook of it as usual, and having shaved and dress- 
ed himself, he placed his hat on the table, and cheer- 
fully said to the guard officers, ^' I am ready at any 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 273 

moment, gentlemen, to wait on you." The fatal hour 
having arrived, a large detachment of troops was 
paraded, and an immense concourse of people assem- 
bled ; almost all our general and field officers, ex- 
cepting his Excellency and his staff, were present on 
horseback ; melancholy and gloom pervaded all ranks, 
and the scene was affectingly awful. I was so near 
during the solemn march to the fatal spot, as to ob- 
serve every movement, and participate in every 
emotion which the mclanclioly scene was calculated 
to produce. Major Andre walked from the stone 
house, in which he had been confined, between two 
of our subaltern officers, arm in arm ; the eyes of the 
immense multitude were fixed on him, who, rising 
superior to the fears of death, appeared as if con- 
scious of the dignified deportment which he displayed. 
He betrayed no want of fortitude, but retained a com- 
placent smile on his countenance, and politely bowed 
to several gentlemen whom he knew, which was res- 
pectfully returned. It was his earnest desire to be 
shot, as being tlie mode of death most conformable to 
the feelings of a military man, and he had indulged 
the hope that his request would be granted. At the 
moment, therefore, when suddenly he came in view 
of the gallows, he involuntarily started backward, and 
made a pause. " Why this emotion, Sir," said an 
officer by his side ? Instantly recovering his compo- 
sure, he said, " I am reconciled to my death, but I 
detest the mode." While waiting and standing near 
the gallows, I observed some degree of trepidation ; 
placing his foot on a stone, and rolling it over and 
choking in his throat, as if attempting to swallow. 
So soon, however, as he perceived that things were 
in readiness, he stepped quickly into the wagon, and 
at this moment he appeared to shrink, but instantly 
elevating his head with firmness, he said, " It will be 
but a momentary pang," and taking from his pocket 
two white handkerchiefs, the provost marshal with 
one, loosely pinioned his arms, and with the other, the 
35 <> 



274 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

victim, after taking ofT his hat and stock, bandaged 
his own eyes with perfect firmness, which melted 
the hearts, and moistened the cheeks, not only of 
his servant, but of the throng of spectators. The 
rope being appended to the gallows, he slipped the 
noose over his head and adjusted it to his neck, with- 
out the assistance of the awkward executioner. Col- 
onel Scammel now informed him that he had an op- 
portunity to speak, if he desired it; he raised the 
handkerchief from his eyes and said, " I pray you to 
bear me witness that I meet my fate like a brave 
man.*' The wagon being now removed from under 
him, he was suspended and instantly expired ; it 
proved indeed <^ but a momentary pang." He was 
dressed in his royal regimentals and boots, and his 
remains, in the same dress, were placed in an ordi- 
nary coflin, and interred at the foot of the gallows ; 
and the spot was consecrated by the tears of thou- 
sands. Thus died in the bloom of life, the accom- 
plished Major Andre, the pride of the royal army, 
and the valued friend of Sir Henry Clinton. He 
was about twenty nine years of age, in his person well 
proportioned, tall, genteel and graceful. His mien 
respectable and dignified. His countenance mild, 
expressive and prepossessing, indicative of an intelli- 
gent and amiable mind. His talents are said to have 
been of a superior cast, and being cultivated in early 
life, he had made very considerable proficiency in lite- 
rary attainments. Colonel Hamilton, aid de camp to 
General Washington, having had an interview with 
him, entertains an exalted opinion of his character. 
In the line of his profession, Major Andre was con- 
sidered as a skilful, brave and enterprizing officer, and 
he is reported to have been benevolent and humane to 
our people who have been prisoners in New York. 
Military glory was the main spring of his actions, and 
the sole object of his pursuits, and he was advancing 
rapidly in the gratification of his ambitious views, till 
by a misguided zeal he became a devoted victim. He 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 275 

enjoyed the confidence and friendship of Sir Henry 
Clinton, being consulted in his counsels and admitted 
to the secrets of his cabinet. The heart of sensi- 
bility mourns when a life of so much worth is sacri- 
ficed on a gibbet. General Washington was called 
to discharge a duty from which his soul revolted ; 
and it is asserted that his hand could scarcely com- 
mand his pen, when signing the warrant for the exe- 
cution of Major Andre. But, however abhorrent in 
the view of humanity, the laws and usages of war 
must be obeyed, and in all armies it is decreed, that 
the gallows shall be the fate of spies from the ene- 
my. It was universally desired that Major Andre 
should experience every possible faVor and indul- 
gence, consistent with his peculiar circumstances, but 
it was well considered, that should he be indulged in 
his request to be shot, it would imply that his case 
admitted of extenuation, and it might be doubted 
whether in justice he ought to be convicted as a spy. 
The British general himself has not hesitated to exe- 
cute several persons of the same description sent from 
our army into New York.* Could Arnold have been 

* It is with the highest degree of satisfaction, that I am enabled to 
copj the following interesting narrative, vouched by Major General 
Hull, of Newton, frona Hannah Adams' History of New England. Let 
the reader draw the striking contrast between the conduct of the royal- 
ists and the Americans, on an occasion where the duties of humanity 
and benevolence, were equally and imperiously demanded. 

" The retreat of General Washington, left the British in complete 
possession of Long Island. What would be their future operations, re- 
mained uncertain. To obtain information of their situation, their 
strength and future movements, was of hi^h importance. For this pur- 
pose. General Washington applied to Colonel Knowlton, who com- 
manded a regiment of light infantry, which formed the van of the Amer- 
ican army, and desired him to adopt some mode of gaining the neces- 
sary information. Colonel Knowlton communicated this request to Cap- 
tain Hale, of Connecticut, who was then a captain in his regiment. 
This young officer, animated by a sense of duty, and considering that 
an opportunity presented itself by which he might be useful to his 
country, at once offered himself a volunteer for this hazardous service. 
He passed in disguise to Long Island, examined every part of tiie Bri- 
tish army, and obtained the best possible information respecting theii 
situation and future operations. 

" In his attempt to return, he was apprehended, carried before Sir 
William Howe, and the proof of his object was so clear, that he frankly 
acknowledged who he was, and what were his views. 



276 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

Suspended on the gibbet erected for Andre, not a 
tear or a sigh would have been produced, but exulta- 
tion and joy would have been visible on every coun- 
tenance. But General Clinton suffers the vile and 



"Sir William Howe at once gave an order to the provost marshal t© 
execute hirn the next morning. 

" The order was accordingly executed in a most unfeeling manner, 
and by as great a savage as ever di:-graced humanity. A clergyman, 
whose attendance lie desired, was refused him ; a bible for a moment's 
devotion was not procured, though he requested it. Letters, which on 
the morning of his execution, he wrote to his motlier, and other friends, 
were destroyed ; and this very extraordinary reason given by the pro- 
vost marshal, ' that the rebels should not know that they liad a man ia 
their army, who could die with so much firmness.' 

" Unknown to all around him, without a single friend to offer him the 
least consolation, thus fell as amiable and as worthy a young man as Ame- 
rica could boast, with this as his dying observation, ' that he only lament- 
ed he had but one life to lose for his country.' How superior to the 
dying words of Andre, Though the manner of his execution will ever 
be abhorred by every friend to humanity and religion, yet there can- 
not be a question but that the sentence was conformable to the rules of 
vpar, and the practice of nations in similar cases. 

It is, however, a justice due to the character of Captain Hale, to ob- 
serve, that his motives for engaging in this service were entirely different 
from those which generally influence others in similar circumstances. 
*' Neither expectation of promotion nor pecuniary reward, induced him 
to this attempt. A sense of duty, a hope that he might in this way be 
useful to his country, and an opinion which he had adopted, that every 
kind of service necessary to the public good, became honorable by 
being necessary, were the great motives which induced him to engage 
in an enterprize, by which his connexions lost a most amiable friend, 
and his country one of its most promising supporters. 

" Tiie fate of this unfortunate young man excites the most interesting 
reflections. 

" To see such a character, in the flower of youth, cheerfully treading 
in the most hazardous paths, influenced by the purest intentions, and 
only emulous to do good to his country, without the imputation of a 
crime, fall a victim to policy, must have been wounding to the feelings 
even of his enemies. 

" Should a comparison be drawn between Major Andre and Captain 
Hale, inj\istice would be done to the latter, should he not be placed on 
an equal ground with the former. Whilst almost every historian of the 
American Revolution, has celebrated the virtues and lamented the fate 
of Andre, Hale has remained unnoticed, and it is scarcely known that 
such a character ever existed. 

" To the memory of Andre, his country has erected the most mag- 
nificent monuments, and bestowed on his family the highest honors and 
most liberal rewards. To the memory of Hale not a stone has been 
erected, nor an inscription to preserve his ashes from insult."* 

* In the autumn of 1821, the remains of Major Andre were disinter- 
red, and transported to England. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 277 

infamous traitor to elude the hand of justice, and even 
bestows on him a reward for his crime. It may per- 
haps be suggested, that in this last act of his life 
Major Andre derogated from his character and 
station. That the laurels to adorn the brow of a sol- 
dier, can only be acquired in the field of battle, and 
not by encouraging acts of treason, by bribery and 
corruption. Surprize and stratagem, it is well known, 
constitute a valuable part of the art of war, by which 
many important objects are eflected, and by some it 
is said, that when acts of treason are practised, the 
infamy devolves on the head of the traitors alone. 
In the present instance, it is supposed that Arnold 
made the first overture. It is well understood that 
Sir Henry Clinton enjoined it on Andre, to transact 
the business on board the Vulture, and it was his 
own determination not to land on our shore ; but such 
was the management of Arnold, and his confederate 
Smith, that he was actually compelled, contrary to his 
own judgment and intention, to come within our lines, 
and this circumstance alone placed him in the charac- 
ter of a common spy. The Commander in Chief was 
generously disposed to compassionate his unhappy 
cohdition, and to soothe and mitigate his sorrow, and 
every oflicer in the army was actuated by feelings of 
sympathy and tenderness towards him. The base 
and perfidious Arnold is held in the utmost abhor- 
rence and detestation throughout our army, and his 
person, with the garrison at West Point into the bar- 
gain, would have been a dear purchase to Sir Henry 
for the life of his valuable friend and adjutant general. 
West Point is now become a very celebrated and 
memorable spot, by the attempt of the royal general 
to obtain possession of it through the defection and 
treachery of one of our officers, and the defeat of 
the conspiracy. Arnold was well apprized of its 
importance, and it was obviously his design to strike 
a fatal blow to the cause of his native country, and 
it was his intention that it should cost the British 



278 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

nothing more than the price of his own villany and 
treason. He had actually removed a New York 
regiment from the point to the plain on the east side 
of the river, and sent off a number of soldiers from 
the garrison to cut wood at a distance, and disposed 
and arranged the remaining troops in such manner 
that little or no opposition could have been made, 
and an immediate surrender would have been in- 
evitable, or our troops must have fallen a sacrifice. 
Deplorable indeed would have been the event, the 
loss of this highly important garrison with some of 
our best officers and men, the immense quantity of 
ordnance and military stores, together with the pro- 
digious panic and gloom which at this critical period 
must have pervaded the whole people, could scarcely 
have failed of being productive of consequences 
overwhelming the physical powers and energies of 
our country. But we are saved by a miracle, and 
we are confounded in awful astonishment. In a 
private letter, General Washington thus expresses 
himself, respecting this transaction. " In no instance 
since the commencement of the war has the inter- 
position of Providence appeared more remarkably 
conspicuous than in the rescue of the post and garri- 
son at West Point. How far ArnoM meant to in- 
volve me in the catastrophe of this place, does not 
appear by any indubitable evidence, and I am rather 
inclined to think he did not wish to hazard the more 
important object, by attempting to combine two events, 
the lesser of which might have marred the greater. 
A combination of extraordinary circumstances, and 
unaccountable deprivation of presence of mind in a 
man of the first abilities, and the virtue of three 
militia men, threw the adjutant general of the British 
forces, with full proof of Arnold's intention, into our 
hands, and but for the egregious folly or the be- 
wildered conception of Lieutenant Colonel Jameson, 
who seemed lost in astonishment, and not to have 
known what he was doing, I should undoubtedly 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 279 

have gotten Arnold. Andre has met his fate, and 
with that fortitude which was to be expected from 
an accompHshed man and a gallant officer ; but I 
mistake if Arnold is suffering at this time the tor- 
ments of a mental hell. He wants feeling. From 
some traits of his character which have lately come 
to my knowledge, he seems to Jiave been so hacknied 
in crime, so lost to all sense of honor and shame, that 
while his faculties still enable him to continue his 
sordid pursuits, there will be no time for remorse.'' 

For the sake of human nature, it were to be wish- 
ed that a veil could be forever thrown over so vile an 
example of depravity and wickedness. Traitor ! you 
never can know the precious enjoyment of a quiet 
conscience ! While you sleep, your heart must be 
awake, and the voice of Andre must thrill through 
your very soul. Though you may console yourself 
that you have escaped the gallows, a consciousness of 
your crimes and the infamy and contempt which will 
forever await you, must incessantly harrow and tor- 
ment your spirit, rendering you of all villains, the 
most wretched and miserable. The only atonement in 
your power to alleviate your poignant mental misery, 
is a humble and hearty confession, and to implore in 
sincerity the forgiveness of Heaven !* 

Our brigade, and three others, decamped from 
Orangetown on the 7th instant. Our tents and 
baggage were sent up the Hudson in boats, and we 
took our route through the highlands. The road was 
almost impassable through a thick wood and over high 
mountains, constantly intersected by prodigious rocks, 
running brooks and deep vallies. We arrived at 
West Point on the evening of the 8th, distance thirty 
two miles ; the troops much fatigued and our tents not 
arrived, took our sleep for the night on the ground 
in the woods, and on the 9th, encamped on the plain, 
near the banks of the river. General Greene is now 
the commander of this garrison, and good order takes 

* See the character of Arnold, in the Appendix. 



280 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

place of the confusion occasioned by Arnold's elope- 
ment. 

Joshua Smith, Esquire, the confederate of Arnold, 
has been tried by a court martial, of which Colonel 
Henry Jackson was president ; the evidence against 
him and his own confession, go to prove that he went^ 
on board the Vulture, in the night, and brought on'" 
shore a gentleman who was called John Anderson, 
to have an interview with General Arnold, that he 
secreted him in his house, furnished him with a horse 
and change of clothes, and that he accompanied 
him through our out posts, and directed him into the 
proper road to New York. All this, he pleads in 
his defence, was by the express desire of General 
Arnold, who assured him that his object was to obtain 
some important intelligence from New York, which 
would be highly advantageous to the public interest. 
He considered himself therefore, in the character of 
a confidential agent in the employment of Arnold, 
without suspicion of treasonable conduct in this officer. 
This pretence is plausil)le, and it is his good fortune 
that no positive evidence could be produced to coun- 
tervail his assertions. Though his actions appear 
criminal, yet it is possible his motives and views may 
have been laudable. The want of positive evidence 
therefore, of his criminality, prevented his conviction; 
but so strong was the circumstantial proof of his guilt, 
that it was deemed proner that he shouhl be kept 
in confinement. Being seized with indisposition, 
from apprehension and anxiety of mind, I was re- 
quested to visit liim in his prison. I found him very 
conversable, and he immediately entertained me with 
a relation of tlie particidar circumstances of his case, 
which agreed substantially vvitli the above statement. 
He promised to show me his written defence, pjoduc- 
ed at his trial, but no future opportunity occurred. 
He pretended that it was unjust and cruel that he 
should be deprived of his liberty, wdien no evidence 
of guilt could be produced against him. He was 



MILITARY JOUENAL, 1780. 281 

soon removed to some prison in the country,* after 
which liis lady arrived, expecting to find him here. 
I received a polite billet, requesting I would wait 
on her at the house of my friend Major Bowman, 
where I was introduced to her and to Mrs. B. and 
her daughter, with whom I took tea and spent the 
evening. Mrs. Smith was grievously disappointed 
that her husband was removed ; she was very solicit- 
ous to be informed of the particular circumstances 
which attend him in his illness, and whether he was 
dejected in spirits, and politely thanked me for my 
attention to him. She appears to be an accomplished 
and interesting woman, but is in much distress for 
the fate of her husband. She could not conceal her 
natural partiality and bias in his favor, and would 
willingly have left the impression which Arnold 
wished to make, when in his letter to General Wash- 
ington, he says of his wife, " she is as good, and as 
innocent as an angel, and is incapable of doing 
wrong." 

15 th. — I have just returned from Orange town, in 
company with Captain Hunt, of our regiment, where 
I was called to visit his brother, who was left sick 
when we marched from that place. We dined with 
doctors Eustis and Townsend, at the hospital on our 
way, and with Captain Livingston, a respectable ofli- 
cer, commanding at Stony point, on our return. 

20th. — Major General Greene has been ordered to 
the southward, to take command of the American 
army in the Carolinas, and Major General Heath suc- 
ceeds to the command of this post. 

We have the mortifying intelligence, that the 
enemy has laid waste a great part of the fertile coun- 
try above Saratoga, and likewise the vicinity of 
Schenectady. The party consisted of Indians, tories, 
and Canadians, commanded by Sir John Johnston. 

* Smith was for several months in confinement ; but either from a want 
of vigilance in hi? keeper, or the indifference of the proper authority, 
he was at length allowed to escap« to New York. 

36 



282 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

General Van Rensselaer, with the militia and some 
new levies, engaged the enemy at Fox's mills, Tryon 
county, and after a very severe action of three quar- 
ters of an hour, forced them to give way and cross 
the river, leaving their plunder, baggage and prison- 
ers, which they had taken, behind them. One hour 
of day light would have given us the whole party. 
The action was general and vigorous ; we have to 
lament the loss of Colonel Brown, who was killed in 
skirmishing with the enemy. Tlie devastation com- 
mitted by tliis savage party, is found to be very im- 
portant, as it respects the inhabitants of the north 
It is estimated at two hundred dwellings, one hun- 
dred and fifty thousand bushels of wheat, with a pro- 
portion of other grain and forage. The same party 
destroyed also the town of Schoharie, but the inhabi- 
tants fortunately secured themselves in the fort. 

Official intelligence is received of a very brilliant 
exploit of our militia, in North Carolina. The famous 
royal partizan. Major Ferguson, was at the head of 
about one thousand four hundred British troops 
and tories. Colonels Campbell, Cleveland, Williams, 
Shelby and Sevier, brave and enterprizing officers, 
had collected detached parties of militia, and by agree- 
ment, the whole were united, and formed a body 
amounting to near three thousand. Colonel Camp- 
bell was appointed their commander. They imme- 
diately marched in pursuit of Major Ferguson, and 
came u]) with him advantageously posted, at a place 
called King's mountains. No time was lost in making 
a vigorous attack, and giving the enemy a total de- 
feat, in which Major Ferguson, and one hundred and 
fifty of his men were killed, eight hundred made 
prisoners, and 1 ^teen hundred stand of arms taken, 
with a trifling loss on our side, excepting the brave 
Colonel Williams, who received a mortal wound, after 
being crowned with honor. 

Congress have resolved, that the regular army of 
the United States, from and after the first day of 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 283 

January, 1781, shall consist of four regiments of 
artilleiy, forty nine regiments of infantry, exclusive 
of Colonel Hazen's, called " the Congress' own regi* 
ment," and one regiment of artificers. The respec- 
tive states are to furnish their quotas as proportioned 
by Congress. And as by the foregoing arrange- 
ment, many deserving officers may become super- 
numerary, Congress resolved, that after the reform 
of the army takes place, the officers shall be entitled 
to half pay for seven years, in specie or other current 
money, equivalent ; and to have grants of land at the 
close of the war, agreeably to the resolution of the 
16th September, 1776. 

A scarcity of provisions is again complained of in 
camp. 

It has long been the desire of General Washing- 
ton, to make some arrangement with General Clinton, 
for an exchange of prisoners : but many difficulties 
have attended to pi-event the accomplishment of the 
object. A partial exchange has now been effected ; 
Major General Lincoln, who was taken at Charleston, 
has been exchanged for Major General Phillips, 
captured at Saratoga. General Thompson, and a 
number of other American officers, who have long 
been prisoners, are also liberated by exchange. 

JVovemher \st. — A most tremendous storm of wind, 
snow and hail has continued almost incessantly for 
two days. Many of our tents were levelled with 
the ground, and officers and men exposed without a 
shelter. 

2d. — This is a day of public Thanksgiving through- 
out the state of New York, on occasion of the dis- 
covery of Arnold's conspiracy. 

3c?. — A soldier has been executed to day for deser- 
tion, and persuading others to follow his example. 

A large detachment of troops has been ordered by 
General Heath, to be in readiness with two days provi- 
sions cooked, to march on a foraging expedition, under 
command of Brigadier General Stark. The detach- 



284 MILITARY JOURNAL^ 1780. 

ment crossed the Hudson on the 21st instant, and 
paraded on Nelson's point, where they were review- 
ed hy the Marquis de Cliastellux, one of the generals 
of the French army, at Newport. It is understood 
that the object of the expedition is to procure a quan- 
tity of forage from the farms on the neutral ground, 
between the two armies, towards King's bridge. 
After the review, the Marquis crossed over to West 
Point, where his arrival was announced by the dis- 
charge of thirteen cannon. The detachment march- 
ed about ten miles, and took lodgings on the ground 
in the woods, beside large fires. In the night a severe 
storm of rain came on, that drenched our troops, and 
becoming more violent the next day, rendered the 
roads extremely bad, and our march very uncom- 
fortable ; we reached North Castle, seventeen miles, 
and lodged in the woods, where our fires did not 
secure us from suffering much by wet and cold. 

23^.— Marched to West Farms, near West Chester, 
within eight miles of the enemy's works at King's 
bridge. Here we kindled numerous fires in open 
view of the enemy, and in the evening the troops 
were ordered to leave the fires and retire back about 
two miles, and remain under arms prepared for 
battle ; but the enemy made no advances. 

24:th. — Another severe storm of rain, which con- 
tinued through the day ; we however, began to march 
at sun rise, on our return, but soon halted and took 
shelter under the bushes near White plains. In this 
comfortless situation, we continued through the day 
and night. The next day, the storm continuing, I 
was so fortunate as to crowd into a house with some 
officers for shelter. 26th and 27th, marched twenty 
miles each day, and reached our former station at 
this place before night. 

The country which we lately traversed, about fifty 
miles in extent, is called neutral ground, but the mis- 
erable inhabitants who remain, are not much favored 
with the privileges which their neutrality ought to 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 285 

secure to them. They are continually exposed to the 
ravages and insults of infamous banditti, composed of 
royal refugees and tories. The country is rich and fer- 
tile, and the farms appear to have been advantageously 
cultivated, but it now has the marks of a country in 
ruins. A large proportion of the proprietors having 
abandoned their farms, the few that remain, find it 
impossible to harvest the produce. The meadows 
and pastures are covered with grass of a summer's 
growth, and thousands of bushels of apples and other 
fruit, are rotting in the orchards. We brought off 
about two hundred loads of hay and grain, and ten 
times the amount might have been procured, had 
teams enough been provided. Those of the inhabi- 
tants of the neutral ground who were tories, have 
joined their friends in New York, and the whigs 
have retired into the interior of our country. Some 
of each side have taken up arms, and become the 
most cruel and deadly foes. There are within the 
British lines, banditti consisting of lawless villains, 
who devote themselves to the most cruel pillage and 
robbery among the defenceless inhabitants between 
the lines, many of whom they carry off to New York, 
after plundering their houses and farms. These 
shameless marauders have received the names of 
cow-boys and skinners. By their atrocious deeds, 
they have become a scourge and terror to the people. 
Numerous instances have been related of these mis- 
creants subjecting defenceless persons to cruel tor- 
tures, to compel them to deliver up their money, or 
to disclose the places where it has been secreted. It 
is not uncommon for them to hang a man by his neck 
till apparently dead, then restore him, and repeat the 
experiment, and leave him for dead. One of these 
unhappy persons informed me, that when suffering 
this cruel treatment, the last sensation which he re- 
collects, when suspended by his neck, was a flashing 
heat over him, like that which would be occasioned by 
boiling water poured over his body ; he was however, 



286 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

cut down, and how long he remained on the ground 
insensible, he knows not. A peaceable. Unresisting 
Quaker, of considerable respectability, by the name 
of Qui'iibv, was visited by several of these vile ruf- 
fians; they first demanded his money, and after it 
was delivered, they suspected he had more concealed, 
and inllicted on him the most savage cruelties, in 
order to extort it from him. They began with what 
they call scorchingj covering his naked body with 
hot ashes, and repeating tiie application, till the skin 
was covered with blisters ; after this they resorted 
to the halter, and hung the poor man on a tree by 
his neck, then took him down, and repeated it a 
second, and even a third time, and finally left him 
almost lifeless. 

30//i. — It is now well understood that our detach- 
ment, under the pretext of a foraging expedition, 
was intended by the Commander in Chief to co-ope- 
rate v.ith the main army, in an attempt against the 
enemy's post on York Island. Boats, mounted on 
travelling carriages, have been kept with the army 
all the campaign. The Marquis de la Fayette, at 
the head of his beautiful corps of light infantry, con- 
stantly advancing in front, was to have commenced 
the attack in the night, and the whole army was pre- 
pared to make a general attack on the enemy's works. 
By some movement of the British vessels, or other 
cause, known only to the Commander in Chief and 
his confidential officers, this noble enterprize was un- 
fortunately defeated. The campaign is now brought 
to a close, without effecting any very important ob- 
ject. We have several times offered the enemy 
battle, but they refuse to accept the challenge. The 
Marquis suffers on this occasion the most painful dis- 
appointment. He had spared no pains or expense 
to render his corps of infantry, as fine a body of 
troops, as can be produced in any country ; every 
ofiicer, under his command, received from him a pre- 
•sent of an elegant sword, and the soldiers were put 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 287 

in uniform mostly at his expense. The officers cheer- 
fully seconded his endeavors to perfect the men in 
discipline, and a noble spirit of emulation universally 
prevailed among them. The Marquis viewed this 
corps as one formed and modeled according to his 
own wishes, and as meriting his highest confidence. 
They were the pride of his heart, and he was t!ie 
idol of their regard, who were constantly panting for 
an opportunity of accomplishing some signal achieve- 
ment, wortiiy of his and their character. This brilliant 
corps is now dissolved, and the meji have rejoined 
their respective regiments, and we are soon to retire 
into the wilderness, to prepare for winter quarters. 

Intelligence is received from Boston, that his Ex- 
cellency John Hancock, has been elected by the peo- 
ple of the state of Massachusetts, the first Governor 
under theii* new constitution. This event affords 
universal satisfaction, and has been announced in 
Boston, by public rejoicing, firing of thirteen cannon, 
military parade, feu de joie, and elegant entertain- 
ments. 

It is with inexpressible satisfaction that we learn, 
the patriotic ladies of Philadelphia and its vicinity, 
have distinguished themselves by a generous and 
liberal regard to the sufferings of our soldiery, and 
have engaged in the benevolent work of raising con- 
tributions among themselves, and stinudating others, 
for the purpose of affording a temporary relief for 
the soldiers on service in that vicinity. I extract 
from the newspapers, the sentiments of an " American 
Woman," addressed to American ladies relative to 
the subject, which should be recorded for the honor 
of the sex. 

^^ On the commencement of actual war, the women 
of America manifested a firm resolution, to contribute 
as much as could depend on them, to the deliver- 
ance of their country. Animated by the purest 
patriotism, they are fidl of sorrow at this day, in not 
offering more than barren wishes for the success of 



288 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

SO glorious a revolution. They aspire to render 
themselves more really useful ; and this sentiment is 
universal, from the north to the south of the Thirteen 
United States* Our ambition is kindled by the fame 
of those heroines of antiquity, who have rendered 
their sex illustrious, and have proved to the world, 
that, if the weakness of our constitution, if opinion 
and manners did not forbid us to march to glory by 
the same path as the men, we should at least equal, 
and sometimes surpass them in our love for the pub- 
lic good. I glory in all that my sex have done that 
is great and commendable. I call to^mind with en- 
thusiasm and with admiration, all those acts of cou- 
rage, of constancy and patriotism, which history has 
transmitted to us : the people favored by Heaven, pre- 
served from destruction by the virtues, the zeal and 
the resolution of Deborah, of Judith, of Esther, the 
fortitude of the mother of the Maccabees, in giving 
up her sons to die before her eyes : Rome saved 
from the fury of a victorious enemy by the eiForts of 
Volumnia, and other Roman ladies : so many famous 
sieges where the women have been seen forgetting 
the weakness of their sex, building new walls, digging 
trenches with their feeble hands, furnishing arms to 
their defenders, they themselves darting the missile 
weapons on the enemy, resigning the ornaments of 
their apparel, and their fortune, to fill the public 
treasury, and to hasten the deliverance of their coun- 
try ; burying themselves under its ruins ; throwing 
themselves into the flames, rather than submit to the 
disgrace of humiliation before a proud enemy. 

" We are certain that he cannot be a good citizen, 
who will not applaud our efforts for the relief of the 
armies, which defend our lives, our possessions, our 
liberty. The situation of our soldiery has been re- 
presented to me ; the evils inseparable from war, and 
the firm and generous spirit which has enabled them 
to support these. But it has been said, that they 
may apprehend, that, in the course of a long war, 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 289 

the view of their distresses may be lost, and their 
services be forgotten. Forgotten ! never ; I can 
answer in the name of all my sex. Brave Americans, 
your disinterestedness, your courage, and your con- 
stancy, will always be dear to America, so long as she 
shall preserve her virtue. 

" We know that at a distance from the theatre of 
war, if we enjoy any tranquillity, it is the fruit of 
your watchings, your labors, your dangers. If I live 
happy in the midst of my family ; if my husband 
cultivates his field, and reaps his harvest in peace ; 
if, surrounded with my children, I myself nourish 
the youngest, and press it to my bosom, without be- 
ing afraid of seeing myself separated from it by a 
ferocious enemy ; if the house in which we dwell, if 
our barns, our orchards are safe at the present time 
from the hands of the incendiary ; it is to you 
that we owe it. And shall we hesitate to evidence 
to you our gratitude ? shall we hesitate to wear a 
clothing more simple ; hair dressed less elegantly, 
while at the price of this small privation, we shall 
deserve your benedictions. Who amongst us will 
not renounce with the highest pleasure, those vain 
ornaments, when she shall consider that the valiant 
defenders of America will be able to draw some ad- 
vantage from the money which she may have laid 
out in these, — that they will be better defended from 
the rigors of the seasons, that after their painful toils 
they will receive some extraordinary and unexpected 
relief; that these presents will perhaps be valued by 
them at a greater price, when they will have it in 
their power to say ; this is the offering of the ladies. 
The time is arrived to display the same sentiments 
which animated us at the beginning of the revolution, 
when we renounced the use of teas, however agree- 
able to our taste, rather than receive them from our 
persecutors ; when we made it appear to them that 
we placed former necessaries in the rank of super- 
fluities, when our liberty was interested x when our 
37 



290 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

republican and laborious hands spun the flax, and pre- 
pared the linen intended for the use of our soldiers ; 
when exiles and fugitives, we supported with cour- 
age all the evils which are the concomitants of war. 
Let us not lose a moment, let us be engaged to offer 
the homage of our gratitude at the altar of mili- 
tary valor, and you, our brave deliverers, while mer- 
cenary slaves combat to cause you to share with them 
the irons with which they are loaded, receive with a 
free hand our offering, the purest which can be pre- 
sented to your virtue.'' 

After this publication, the ladies divided the city 
of Philadelphia into districts, and a select number 
visited every house, and received the contribution. 
The method proposed, of distributing their bounty to 
the troops, was through the medium of Mrs. Wash- 
ington, but in her absence, through that of her hus- 
band, the father and friend of the soldiery. From 
the kind and generous exertions of these ladies, the 
soldiers received at one time, two thousand one hun- 
dred and seven shirts, made by their own hands, and 
in another paper it is mentioned, that the sum total 
of the donations received by the ladies of Philadel- 
phia, in their several districts, for the American army, 
amounts to three hundred thousand seven hundred 
and sixty six dollars in paper currency. Such free 
will offerings are examples truly worthy of imita- 
tion, and are to be considered as expressions of kind- 
ness and benevolence, which ought to be recorded 
to the honor of American ladies. 

December 1st. — Our brigade is now ordered into 
the woods, in the highlands, in the rear of West 
Point, where we are to build log huts, for winter can- 
tonments. We are again subjected to numerous pri- 
vations and difficulties, to support which requires all 
our patience and fortitude. The soldiers, though 
very miserably clad, have been for some time obliged 
to bring all the wood for themselves and officers, on 
their backs, from a place a mile distant, and almost 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 291 

half the time are kept on half allowance of bread, 
and entirely without rum. Twelve or fourteen months 
pay are now due to us, and we are destitute of cloth- 
ing, and the necessaries of life. The weather is re- 
markably cold, and our tents are comfortless. 

10th. — For three days past I have not been able to 
procure food enough to appease my appetite ; we are 
threatened with starvation. That a part of our army 
charged with the defence of a post so highly impor- 
tant to America, should be left in such an unprovided 
and destitute condition, is truly a matter of astonish- 
ment, and unless a remedy can be found, our soldiers 
will abandon the cause of their country, and we must 
submit to the yoke of Great Britain, which we so 
much abhor. 

20th. — During the last ten days we have experi- 
enced almost continued storms of rain, high winds, 
and disagreeable fogs. Our canvass dwellings afford 
us but little protection against such powerful assail- 
ants ; they are frequently rent asunder, and we are 
almost overwhelmed with inundation. 

A very spirited and honorable enterprize has lately 
been planned and executed by Major Talmadge, of 
Colonel Sheldon's regiment of dragoons. The enemy 
having large magazines of forage and stores in the 
vicinity of fort St. George, on Long Island, he resolv- 
ed to hazard the attempt to seize them by surprize. 
Fort St. George was stockaded, and covered a large 
spot of ground, having a square redoubt, with a ditch 
and abbatis. With about eighty dismounted dragoons, 
under Captain Edgar, and eight or ten on horseback, 
Major Talmadge passed the Sound, where it was 
about twenty miles from shore to shore, marched 
across the island in the night with such facility and 
address, that his enterprize was crowned with com- 
plete success. The enemy were not alarmed till too 
late to make much resistance ; seven however were 
killed and wounded, and the remainder, amounting 
to fifty four, among whom were one lieutenant colo- 



292 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 

nel, one captain and a subaltern, were made prisoners. 
The fort was demolished, two armed vessels were 
burnt, and a large magazine of hay, said to be three 
hundred tons, with stores to a large amount, shared 
the same fate. Major Talmadge recrossed the Sound 
with his brave party without the loss of a man. The 
Commander in Chief was so well pleased with this 
exploit, that he recommended Major Talmadge to 
the notice of Congress, and they voted him their 
thanks for his brave and spirited conduct. 

The extraordinary patience and fortitude, which 
have hitherto been so honorably displayed by our offi- 
cers and soldiers under their complicated distresses, 
appear now to be exhausted. From repeated disap- 
pointments of our hopes and expectations, the con- 
fidence of the army in public justice, and public 
promises, is greatly diminished, and we are reduced 
almost to despair. 

The present crisis is alarming. Regimental offi- 
cers are continually resigning their commissions, and 
a large proportion of those who remain have pledg- 
ed themselves to follow their example, unless a re- 
dress of grievances can soon be obtained. Nothing 
short of what we conceive to be justly our due, a 
comfortable and permanent support, will retain our 
officers, however ardent their desire to serve their 
country. They exclaim, let others come and take 
their turn, we have served years longer than we ex- 
pected, and have acquitted ourselves of duty. All 
the general officers belonging to New England, have 
united in a memorial to their respective state govern- 
ments, complaining of our grievances, and requesting 
immediate relief, and security for the future. This 
memorial, being put into the mail, was taken from 
the Fishkill post rider, by some emissary from the 
enemy, and has been published in the New York 
papers, by which our forlorn situation has been ex- 
posed, and much exultation occasioned among those, 
who are watching for our destruction. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1780. 293 

The resolution of Congress, for a new arrange- 
ment of the army, was not conformable to the expec- 
tations of the officers, and caused uneasiness among 
them. The Commander in Chief saw that a storm 
was gathering, and thought it prudent, on this occa- 
sion, to communicate his opinion to Congress, on the 
best means to avert it. On the 11th of October, he 
informed Congress, " that the general topic of de- 
clamation in the army is, that it is as hard as dishon- 
orable, for men who had made every sacrifice to the 
service, to be turned out of it, at the pleasure of 
those in power, without an adequate compensation. 
Too many of the officers wish to get rid of their com- 
missions, but they are not willing to be forced to it." 
The Commander in Chief, in his communication 
to Congress, suggests the policy of making ample 
provision, both for the officers who stay, and for 
those who are reduced. He recommended what he 
thought would be the most economical, the most 
politic, and the most effectual provision, half pay for 
life. " Supported," the General says, " by a pros- 
pect of a permanent dependence, the officers would 
be tied to the service, and would submit to many 
momentary privations, and to the inconveniences, 
which the situation of the public service make una- 
voidable. If the objection drawn from the principle, 
that this measure is incompatible with the genius of 
our government, be thought insurmountable, I would 
propose a substitute, less eligible in my opinion, but 
which may answer the purpose ; it is to make the 
present half pay, hv^ seven years, whole pay, for 
the same period, to be advanced at two different 
payments, one half in a year after the conclusion of 
peace, the other half in two years after." 

His Excellency also takes notice of the injuries 
and inconveniences, which attend a continual change 
of officers, and consequent promotions in the army. 

Soon after Congress were possessed of the senti- 
ments of General Washington, they resolved, '^ that 



294 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

the commander in chief and commanding officer, ift 
the northern department, direct the officers of each 
State, to meet and agree on the officers for the regi- 
ments to be raised by their respective states, from 
those who incline to continue in service, and where 
it cannot be done by agreement, to be determined 
by seniority ; and make return of those who are to 
remain, which is to be transmitted to Congress, to- 
gether with the names of the officers reduced, who 
are to be allowed half pay for life. That the offi- 
cers, who shall continue in service to the end of the 
war, shall also be entitled to half pay during life, to 
commence from the time of their reduction." 

January \st, 1781. — On this, the lirst day of the 
new year, an arrangement of our army takes place, 
according to a late resolve of Congress. The super- 
numerary regiments are to be incorporated with 
those which continue on the new establishment, and 
the supernumerary officers are to retire from service 
on the establishment fixed by Congress, and are to 
be entitled to the same privileges and emoluments, 
which are to be allowed to those who continue to the 
end of the war. It being optional with me, either 
to retire or to continue in service, I shall retain my 
commission as surgeon to Colonel H. Jackson's regi- 
ment. We are encouraged to anticipate more favor- 
able circumstances, and more liberal compensation, 
Congress having at length passed several resolves, 
entitling all officers who shall continue in service 
till the end of the w-ar, or shall be reduced before 
that time, as supernumeraries, to receive half pay 
during life, and a certain number of acres of land, 
in proportion to their rank. Besides these pecu- 
niary considerations, we are actuated by the purest 
principles of patriotism ; having engaged in the 
mighty struggle, we are ambitious to persevere to 
the end. To be instrumental in the achievement 
of a glorious Independence for our country, and 
posterity, will be a source of infinite satisfaction^ and 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 295 

of most gi'ateful recollection, during the remainder 
of our days. Notwithstanding the unparalleled suf- 
ferings and hardships, which have hitherto attended 
our military career, scarcely an officer retires without 
the deepest regret and reluctance. So strong is the 
attachment, and so fascinating the idea of participat- 
ing with our illustrious commander in military glory, 
that a separation is like a relinquishment of princi- 
ple, and abandonment of the great interest of our 
native country. 

3d. — Our brigade took possession of our huts for 
the winter, in the woods about two miles in the rear 
of the works at West Point. Our situation is singu- 
larly romantic, on a highly elevated spot, surrounded 
by mountains and craggy rocks of a prodigious size, 
lofty broken clifts, and the banks of the beautifully 
meandering Hudson, affording a view of the country 
for many miles in all directions. We have now no 
longer reason to complain of our accommodations ; the 
huts are warm and comfortable, wood in abundance 
at our doors, and a tolerable supply of provisions. 
Our only complaint is want of money. 

4th. — Reports of a very serious and alarming na- 
ture have this day reached us from the Jerseys. The 
Pennsylvania line of troops, consisting of about two 
thousand men, in winter quarters in the vicinity of 
Morristown, have come to the desperate resolution 
of revolting from their officers. Though the Penn- 
sylvania troops have been subjected to all the dis- 
couragements and difficulties felt by the rest of the 
army, some particular circumstances peculiar to them- 
selves have contributed to produce the revolt. When 
the soldiers first enlisted, the recruiting officers were 
provided with enlisting rolls for the term of three 
years, or during the continuance of the war, and as 
the officers indulged the opinion, that the war would 
not continue more than three years, they were per- 
haps indifferent in which column the soldier's name 
was inserted; leaving it liable to an ambiguity of con- 



296 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

struction. It is clear however, that a part enlisted 
for three years, and others for the more indefinite term 
'^ during the war." The soldiers now contend, that 
they enlisted for three years at furthest, and were 
to have been discharged sooner, in case the war ter- 
minated before the expiration of this term. The war 
being protracted beyond the time expected, and the 
officers, knowing the value of soldiers who have been 
trained by three years' service, are accused of putting 
a different construction on the original agreement, 
and claiming their services during the war. The 
soldiers, even those who actually enlisted for the war, 
having received very small bounties, complain of im- 
position and deception, and their case is extremely 
aggravated by the fact, that three half joes have now 
been offered as a bounty to others, who will enlist for 
the remainder of the war, when these veteran soldiers 
have served three years for a mere shadow of compen- 
sation ! It was scarcely necessary to add to their trying 
circumstances, a total want of pay for twelve months, 
and a state of nakedness and famine, to excite in a 
soldier the spirit of insurrection. The officers them- 
selves, also feeling aggrieved, and in a destitute con- 
dition, relaxed in their system of camp discipline, 
and the soldiers occasionally overheard their mur- 
murs and complaints. Having appointed a sergeant 
major for their commander, styling him major general, 
and having concerted their arrangements, on the first 
day of the new year, they put their mutinous scheme 
into execution. On a preconcerted signal, the whole 
line, except a part of three regiments, paraded under 
arms without their officers, marched to the magazines, 
and supplied themselves with provisions and am- 
munition, and seizing six field pieces took horses 
from General Wayne's stable to transport them. 
The officers of the line collected those who had not 
yet joined the insurgents and endeavored to restore 
order, but the revolters fired and killed a Captain 
Billing, and wounded several other officers; and a 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 297 

few men were killed on each side. The mutineers 
commanded the party, who opposed them, to come 
over to them instantly, or they should he hayonetted, 
and the order was obeyed. General Wayne, who 
commanded the Pennsylvania troops, endeavored to 
interpose his infliience and authority, urging them 
to return to their duty, till their grievances could be 
inquired into and redressed. But all was to no pur- 
pose, and on cocking his pistol, they instantly pre- 
sented their bayonets to his breast, saying, »^ We 
respect and love you ; often have you led us into the 
field of battle, but we are no longer under your com- 
mand ; we warn you to be on your guard; if you 
fire your pistols, or attempt to enforce your com- 
mands, we shall put you instantly to death.'' General 
Wayne next expostulated with them, expressing his 
apprehension that they were about to sacrifice the 
glorious cause of their country, and that the enemy 
would avail themselves of the opportunity to advance 
and improve so favorable an occasion. They assured 
him, that they still retained an attachment and respect 
for the cause which they had embraced, and that, so 
far from a disposition to abandon it, if the enemy 
should dare to come out of New York, they would, 
under his and his officers orders, face them in the 
field, and oppose them to the utmost in their power. 
They complained that they had been imposed on and 
deceived respecting the term of their enlistment, that 
they had received no wages for more than a year, 
and that they were destitute of clothing, and had 
t)ften been deprived of their rations. These were 
their grievances^ and they were determined to march 
to Philadelphia, and demand of Congress that justice 
which had so long been denied them. They com- 
menced their march in regular military order, and 
when encamped at night, they posted out piquets, 
guards, and sentinels. General Wayne, to prevent 
their depredations on private property, supplied 
them with provisions, and he, vi^ith Colonels Stewart 
38 



298 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

and Butler, oJBicers whom the soldiers respected and 
loved, followed and mixed with them, to watch their 
motions and views, and they received from them re- 
spectful and civil treatment. On the third day, the 
insurgent troops reached Princeton, and, by request 
of General Wayne, they deputed a committee of ser- 
geants, who stated to him formally in writing their 
claims, as follows. 1st. A discharge for all those, 
without exception, who had served three years under 
their original engagements, and had not received the 
increased bounty and re-enlisted for the war. 2d. An 
immediate payment of all their arrears of pay and 
clothing, both to those who should be discharged, 
and those who should be retained. 3d. The residue 
of their bounty, to put them on an equal footing with 
those recently enlisted, and future substantial pay to 
those, who should remain in the service. To these 
demands, in their full extent, General Wayne could 
not feel himself authorized to answer in the affirma- 
tive, and a further negotiation was referred to the 
civil authority of the state of Pennsylvania. General 
Washington, whose head quarters are at New Wind- 
sor, on the west side of the Hudson, received the in- 
telligence on the 3d instant, and summoned a council 
of war, consisting of the general and field officers, to 
devise the most proper measures to be pursued, on this 
alarming occasion. Great apprehension was entertain- 
ed, that other troops, who have equal cause of discon- 
tent, would be excited to adopt a similar course. It 
is ordered, that five battalions be formed by detach- 
ments from the several lines, to be held in perfect 
readiness to march on the shortest notice, with four 
days' provision cooked ; and measures, it is under- 
stoo 1, are taken to bring the militia into immediate 
service, if required. Intelligence of the revolt hav- 
ing reached Sir Henry Clinton, he cherished the 
h pe that, by encouraging a rebellion, and turning 
the swords of our own soldiers against their country 
aad brethren, he should have it in his power to effect 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 299 

an object; which by his own arms he could not accom- 
plish. He immediately despatched two emissaries, 
a British sergeant, and one Ogden, of New Jersey, 
to the dissatisfied troops, with written instructions, 
that by laying down their arms and marching to New 
York, they should receive their arrearages and de- 
preciation in hard cash, and should be well clothed, 
have a free pardon for all past offences, and be taken 
under the protection of the British government, and 
no military service should be required of them, unless 
voluntarily offered. They were requested to send 
persons to meet agents, who would be appointed by 
Sir Henry, to adjust the terms of a treaty, and the 
British general himself passed over to Staten Island, 
having a large body of troops in readiness to act as 
circumstances might require. The proposals from 
the enemy were rejected with disdain, and the muti- 
neers delivered the papers to General Wayne, but 
refused to give up the emissaries, preferring to keep 
them in durance till their difficulties could be discuss- 
ed and settled. A committee of Congress was appoint- 
ed, who conferred with the executive council of the 
state of Pennsylvania, and by the latter authority, 
an accommodation of the affairs with the revolters 
has been effected, by giving an interpretation favor- 
able to the soldiers, of the enlistments which were 
for three years or during the war, declaring them to 
expire at the end of three years. The insurgents 
now surrendered the two emissaries into the hands 
of General Wayne, on the stipulated condition, that 
they should not be executed till their affairs should 
be compromised, or in case of failure, the prisoners 
should be redelivered when demanded. They were 
eventually however, tried as spies, convicted and im- 
mediately executed. A board of commissioners was 
now appointed, of whom three were deputed from 
the revolters, authorized to determine what descrip- 
tion of soldiers should be discharged. The result is, 
that the soldiers have accomplished their views, the 



300 MILITARY JOURNxVL, 1781. 

committee, from prudential motives, without waiting 
for the enlisting papers, complied with their de- 
mands, and discharged from service a majority of the 
line, on their making oath, that they enlisted for three 
years only. Tlie enlisting rolls having since been 
produced, it is found that by far the largest number 
of those liberated, had actually enlisted for the whole 
war. Thus has terminated a most unfortunate trans- 
action, which might have been prevented, had the 
just complaints of the army received proper attention 
in due season. General Wayne is a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and has acquired the affection of the sol- 
diery of that state. He possesses a commanding pre- 
sence, genteel and pleasing address, a daring bravery, 
is excellent in discipline, aspiring and unrivalled in 
enterprize, and is held in high respect by his com- 
patriots in arms. 

A detachment, under the command of Lieutenant 
Colonel Hull, has returned from a successful expedi- 
tion, having attacked by surprize, the rOyal refugee 
corps, under the command of the noted Colonel De- 
lancy, posted at Morrisania. Colonel Hull has for 
Several months past, sustained the command of a de- 
tachment of our troops posted in advance of our army, 
a situation requiring the most active vigilance and 
precaution, to guard against surprize and stratagem. 
In this station, as in many others, this officer has 
evinced his military skill and judgment. He has 
executed an enterprize with such address and gallan- 
try, as to merit for himself and his detachment, the 
highest honor. He bravely forced a narrow passage 
to the enemy, and besides a number being killed, he 
took upwards of fifty prisoners, cut away the bridge, 
burnt their huts and a considerable quantity of forage, 
and brought off a number of horses and cattle. 
Colonel Hull possesses in a high degree, the confi- 
dence of the Commander in Chief, and for his judi- 
cious arrangements in the plan, and intrepidity and 
valor in the execution of the enterprize, he received 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 301 

the thanks of his Excellency, and afterwards of Con- 
gress. The enemy pursued our troops, and fell in 
with a covering party, under command of Colonel 
Hazen, and in a skirmish which ensued, they suffered 
an additional loss of about thirty five men. Of Colo- 
nel Hull's detachment, one ensign, and twenty live 
rank and file were killed and wounded. This suc- 
cessful exploit is calculated to raise the spirits of our 
troops, and to divert their minds from the unhappy 
occurrence, which has recently taken place in camp, 
and at the same time it may convince the enemy, that 
the affairs of our army are not altogether desperate. 

We are again afflicted with alarming intelligence. 
That part of the Jersey line of troops, which are 
cantoned at Porapton, in the state of New Jersey, have 
followed the example of the Pennsylvanians, having 
revolted and abandoned their officers. General 
Washington is resolutely determined, that this in- 
stance of mutiny shall not pass with impunity. In- 
stead of temporizing, he has ordered a detachment 
of five hundred men, properly officered, to march 
for the purpose of reducing them to a proper sense 
of duty. It falls to my lot to accompany the detach- 
ment. Major General Robert Howe commands on 
this expedition, and Lieutenant Colonel Sprout is 
second in command, and the other field officers are, 
Lieutenant Colonel Mellen and Major Oliver. We 
marched on the 23d, as far as the forest of Dean, 
and at night crowded into houses and barns. A 
body of snow about two feet deep, without any track, 
rendered the march extremely difficult. Having 
no horse, I experienced inexpressible fatigue, and 
was obliged several times to sit down on the snow. 
24th, Marched over the mountains, and reached 
Carle's tavern, in Smith's clove, halted for two hours, 
then proceeded thirteen miles, and quartered our 
men in the scattering houses and barns. 25th, 
Marched nine miles, and reached Ringwood. Gen- 
eral Howe and all the fi«ld officers took lodgings at 



302 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

the house of Mrs. Erskine, the amiable widow of the 
late respectable geographer of our army. We were 
entertained with an elegant supper and excellent 
wine. Mrs. Erskine is a sensible and accomplished 
woman, lives in a style of affluence and fashion ; 
every thing indicates wealth, taste and splendor ; 
and she takes pleasure in entertaining the friends of 
her late husband, with generous hospitality. 

Marched on the 27th, at one o'clock, A. M. eight 
miles, which brought us in vievy of the huts of the 
insurgent soldiers by dawn of day. Here we halted 
for an hour, to make the necessary preparations. 
Some of our officers suffered much anxiety, lest the 
soldiers would not prove faithful on this trying occa- 
sion. Orders were given to load their arms — it was 
obeyed with alacrity, and indications were given that 
they were to be relied on. Being paraded in a line, 
General Howe harangued them, representing the 
heinousness of the crime of nuitiny, and the absolute 
necessity of military subordination, adding that the 
mutineers must be brought to an unconditional sub- 
mission, no temporizing, no listening to terms of 
compromise, while in a state of resistance. Two 
field pieces were now ordered to be placed in view 
of the insurgents, and the troops were directed to 
surround the huts on all sides. General Howe next 
ordered his aid de camp to command the mutineers 
to appear on parade in front of their huts unarmed, 
within five minutes ; observing them to hesitate, a 
second messenger was sent, and they instantly obeyed 
the command, and paraded in a line without arms, 
being in number between two and three hundred. 
Finding themselves closely encircled and unable to 
resist, they quietly submitted to the fate which 
awaited them. General Howe ordered, that three 
of the ringleaders should be selected as victims for 
condign punishment. These unfortunate culprits 
were tried on the spot, Colonel Sprout being Presi- 
dent of the court martial, standing on the snow, and 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 303 

tliey were sentenced to be immediately shot. Twelve 
of the most guilty mutineers, were next selected to 
be their executioners. This was a most painful task ; 
being themselves guilty, they were greatly distressed 
with the duty imposed on tiiem, and when ordered 
to load, some of them shed tears. The wretched 
victim.s, overwhelmed by the terrors of death, had 
neither time nor or power to implore the mercy and 
forgiveness of their God, and such was their agoniz- 
ing condition, that no heart could refrain from emo- 
tions of sympatliy and compassion. The first that 
suffered, was a sergeant, and an old offender ; he was 
led a few yards distance and placed on his knees ; 
six of the executioners, at the signal given by an 
officer, fired, three aiming at the head and three at 
the breast, the other six reserving their fire in order 
to despatch the victim, should the first fire fail ; it 
so happened in this instance ; the remaining six 
then fired and life was instantly extinguished. The 
second criminal was, by the first fire, sent into eter- 
nity in an instant. The third being less criminal, 
by the recommendation of his officers, to his un- 
speakable joy, received a pardon. This tragical 
scene produced a dreadful shock, and a salutary 
effect on the minds of the guilty soldiers. Never 
were men more completely humbled and penitent; 
tears of sorrow, and of joy, rushed from their eyes, 
and each one appeared to congratulate himself, that 
his forfeited life had been spared. The executions 
being finished. General Howe ordered the former 
officers to take their stations, and resume their re- 
spective commands ; he then, in a very pathetic and 
affecting manner, addressed the whole line by platoons, 
endeavoring to impress their minds with a sense of 
the enormity of their crime, and the dreadful con- 
sequences that might have resulted. He then com- 
manded them to ask pardon of their oflicers, and 
promise to devote themselves to the faithful discharge 
of their duty as soldiers in future. It is most pain- 



304 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

ful to reflect, that circumstances should imperiously 
demand the infliction of capital punishment on sol- 
diers, who have more than a shadow of plea to ex- 
tenuate their crime. These unfortunate men have 
long suffered many serious grievances, which they 
have sustained with commendable patience ; but have 
at length lost their confidence in public justice. .The 
success of the Pennsylvania insurgents, undoubtedly 
encouraged them to hope for exemption from pun- 
ishment. But the very existence of an army de- 
pends on proper discipline and subordination. The 
arm of authority must be exerted, and public ex- 
amples be exhibited, to deter from the commission 
of crimes. The spirit of revolt must be effectually 
repressed, or a total annihilation of the army, is in- 
evitable. Sir Henry Clinton on this occasion had 
his hopes again excited; ever ready to profit by 
treachery, or revolt, he despatched an emissary to 
encourage the insurrection, and to make the most 
tempting offers to induce the mutineers to desert, 
and join the British standard ; but the messenger 
himself frustrated his hopes, by delivering the papers 
to our own officers. 

Having completed the object of our expedition, 
we returned to our cantonments on the 31st instant. 

February. — Major General Greene has transmitted 
to Congress an account of a brilliant action of Gen- 
eral Sumpter, of the southern array, a few weeks 
since. General Sumpter engaged with a body of 
three hundred cavalry, of Tarleton's legion, and 
about two hundred and fifty British infantry. The 
conflict was warm and close, in which the enemy 
were repulsed. They rallied, and on the second 
charge were repulsed again. They made a third 
effort, but a fire from an eminence, occupied by the 
continentals, gave them an effectual check ; they 
quitted the field and retired, leaving ninety dead 
and one hundred wounded. Only three were killed 
and four wounded, on the part of the Americans, 



MILITARY JOUllNAL, 1781. 305 

among tlie latter is General Sumpter. A party of 
tories from the outposts of the British, advanced to 
intercept the wagons, and avail themselves of the 
supplies. General Smallwood despatched Brigadier 
General Morgan, and Lieutenant Colonel Washing- 
ton to attack them. Lieutenant Colonel Washington, 
being destitute of artillery, made use of the following 
stratagem. He mounted on a carriage a pine log, 
cut into the form of a cannon, and holding out the 
appearance of an attack with field pieces, gained his 
point by sending a flag, and demanding the immediate 
surrender of Colonel Rugely and his party, consist- 
ing of one hundred and twelve men, who on the 
approach of Lieutenant Colonel W^ashington, had 
retired to a log barn on Rugely's plantation. They 
surrendered without firing a gun. 

10/A. — Accounts have been received, that an ac- 
tion has been fought at a place called the Cowpens, 
in Carolina, between a body of the enemy, under the 
celebrated Colonel Tarleton, with one thousand one 
hundred men, and a party of about eight hundred 
Americans, under the command of the equally celebrat- 
ed General Morgan ; the enemy were totally routed 
and pureued upwards of twenty miles. Of Tarle- 
ton's party, ten officers and one hundred rank and 
file were killed, and two hundred wounded, twenty 
nine officers and five hundred rank and file were taken 
prisoners, with two field pieces, two standards, eight 
hundred muskets, thirty five wagons, seventy negroes, 
one hundred dragoon horses, one travelling forge, 
and all their music. The loss on Morgan's side was 
not more than twelve killed, and sixty wounded. 
Morgan and his party have acquired immortal honor, 
and in this action, Lieutenant Colonel Washington, 
and Lieutenant Colonel Howard were most highly 
distinguished for their brave and gallant conduct. 

\A:th. — General Warner and Colonel Ashley, of 
Massachusetts, have arrived at West Point, to dis- 
tribute to the soldiers of the Massachusetts line, 
39 



306 MILITAUY JOURNAL, 1781. 

engaged for a small bounty to serve during the war, 
twenty four dollars in specie each, as a gratuity from 
the state. This very generous act, serves to dissipate 
the gloom on the countenances of our brave soldiers ; 
it enlivens their dejected spirits, and convinces them 
that they are yet the objects of a friendly recollec- 
tion. 

The advance guard of our army, consisting of about 
two hundred men, is posted at Crompond, about 
twenty miles below West Point, and is relieved every 
two or three weeks. A surgeon constantly attends, 
and I am now ordered to repair to that post, to relieve 
Dr. Thomas. 

March. — I have taken my quarters at Crompond, 
in a house with Major Trescott, who commands at 
this post. This vicinity is constantly harassed by 
small parties of volunteers on our side, and parties of 
royalists and tories on the other, who are making 
every effort to effect mutual destruction ; seeking 
every opportunity to beat up each others' quarters, 
and to kill or capture all who are found in arms. 
This is to be considered as a very hazardous situation, 
it requires the utmost vigilance to guard against a 
surprize. Major Trescott is an excellent disciplina- 
rian, an active vigilant officer, and well acquainted 
with his duty. A party of volunteers collected here 
on horseback, for a secret expedition, and by their 
earnest request Major Trescott marched in the night 
with a party to cover their retreat, and to take any 
advantage which might offer. The party returned the 
next day with six tory prisoners, three of whom were 
wounded by the broad sword. One of our volunteers, 
named Hunt, received a dangerous wound through his 
shoulder and lungs, the air escaped from the wound 
at every breath. Dr. Eustis came to the lines, and 
dilated the wound in the breast, and as the patient 
is athletic and had not sustained a very copious loss 
of ])lood, he recommended repeated and liberal blood 
letting; observing, that in order to cure a wound 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 307 

through the lungs, you must bleed your patient to 
death. He eventually recovered, which is to be as- 
cribed principally to the free use of the lancet and 
such abstemious living, as to reduce him to the great- 
est extremity. A considerable number of wounded 
prisoners receive my daily attention. 

A gentleman volunteer, by name Requaw, received 
a dangerous wound and was carried into the British 
lines ; I was requested by his brother to visit him, 
under the sanction of a flag of truce,' in company with 
Dr. White, who resides in this vicinity. This invi- 
tation I cheerfully accepted, and Mr. Requavt^ hav- 
ing obtained a flag from the proper authority and 
procured horses, we set off" in the morning, arrived 
at West Chester before evening, and dressed the 
wounded man. We passed the night at Mrs. Bar- 
stow's, mother-in-law of Dr. W. She has remained 
at her farm between the lines during the war, and 
being friendly to our interest, has received much 
abusive treatment from the royalists. We were treat- 
ed in the most friendly manner, and her daugliter, a 
sensible well educated girl, entertained us in con- 
versation till one o'clock in the morning, relating 
numerous occurrences and incidents of an interesting 
nature, respecting the royal party. The next day 
we visited our patient again, paid the necessary 
attention and repaired to a tavern, where I was grati- 
fied with an interview with the much famed Colonel 
Delancy, who commands the refugee corps. He con- 
ducted witli much civility, and having a public din- 
ner prepared at the tavern, he invited us to dine 
with him and his officers. After dinner, Colonel 
Delancy furnished us with a permit to return with 
our flag ; we rode ten miles, and took lodgings in a 
private house. Here we were informed, that six of 
our men, having taken from the refugees thirty head 
of cattle, were overtaken by forty of Delancy 's corps 
and were all killed but one, and the cattle retaken. 
In the morning, breakfasted with a friendly quaker 



308 MILITARY JOURNAL^ 1781. 

family, in whose house was one of our men wlio 
had been wounded, when four others were killed ; we 
dressed his wounds, which were numerous and dan- 
gerous. In another house, we saw four dead bodies, 
mangled in a most inhuman manner by the refugees, 
and among them, one groaning under five wounds on 
his head, two of them quite through his skull bone 
with a broad sword. This man was capable of giving 
lis an account of the murder of his four companions. 
They surrendered and begged for life, but their en- 
treaties were disregarded, and the swords of their 
cruel foes were plunged into their bodies so long as 
signs of life remained. We found many friends to 
our cause, who reside on their farms between the lines 
of the two armies, whose situation is truly deplorable, 
being continually exposed to the ravages of the tories, 
horse thieves, and cow-boys, who rob and plunder 
them without mercy, and the personal abuse and 
punishments which they inflict, is almost incredible. 
The particulars of which have been already noticed, 
page 284. 

On the 4th of this month, the grand confederation 
and perpetual union of the Thirteen American States, 
from New Hampshire to Georgia, inclusive, was sign- 
ed and ratified by all the delegates in Congress. This 
instrument has long been a subject of discussion and 
consideration by the several states, and by some, con- 
siderable opposition has been maintained against it, 
which has impeded its ratification. It consists of 
thirteen articles, entitled Articles of Confederation 
and Perpetual Union between the Thirteen Ameri- 
can States. By this instrument, each state retains its 
sovereignty, freedom and independence, and the 
states severally, enter into a firm league of friend- 
ship with each other for their common defence, the 
security of their liberties, and their mutual and gen- 
eral welfare, &c. &c. 

April. — I received orders to return to the high- 
lands near West Point, to inoculate the troops with 



SllLITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 309 

the small pox. Dined with Colonel Scammel, on my 
route, with a number of gentlemen. 

12th. — Crossed the Hudson, to the hospital at Ro- 
binson's house, and passed the night with Dr. Eustis, 
the next day accompanied him to Peekskill to visit 
the family of Colonel Laurence, who are under inocu- 
lation with the small pox, thence to the quarters of 
Colonel Scammel and Dr. Findlay? returned to the 
hospital at night, and the next day crossed with Dr. 
Eustis, to West Point, and dined at General Heath's 
quarters. 

20th. — A soldier was hanged to day for desertion, 
and another was pardoned under the gallows with a 
rope round his neck. 

All the soldiers, with the women and children, 
who have not had the small pox, are now under inocu- 
lation. Of our regiment, one hundred and eighty 
seven were subjects of the disease. The old practice 
of previous preparation by a course of mercury and 
low diet, has not been adopted on this occasion, a 
single dose of jalap and calomel, or of the extract of 
h\xiX.t,vn\\i, juglans cinerea, is in general administered 
previous to the appearance of the symptoms. As to 
diet, we are so unfortunate as to be destitute of the 
necessary comfortable articles of food, and they sub- 
sist principally on their common rations of beef, 
bread and salt pork. A small quantity of rice, sugar, 
or molasses, and tea are procured for those who are 
dangerously sick. Some instances have occurred of 
putrid fever supervening, either at the first onset, or 
at the approach of the secondary stage, and a few 
yases have terminated fatally. Many of our patients 
were improper subjects for the disease, but we were 
under the necessity of inoculating all, without excep- 
tion, whatever might be their condition as to health. 
Of five hundred who have been inoculated, four only 
have died, but in other instances, the proportion of 
deaths is much moi*e considerable. The extract of 
butternut is made by boiling down the inner bark of 



310 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

the tree ; the discovery of tliis article is highly im- 
portant, and it may be considered as a valuable ac- 
([uisition to our materia medica. Tlie country people 
have for some time been in the practice of using it, 
and Dr. Rush, who was for a short period at the head 
of our hospital department, has recommended the 
employment of it among our patients, as a mild yet 
.sufUciently active cathartic, and a valuable and econo- 
mical substitute for jalap. It operates without creat- 
ing heat or irritation, and is found to be efficacious in 
cases of dysentery and bilious complaints. As the but- 
ternut tree abounds in our country, VvC may obtain at 
a very little expense, a valuable domestic article of 
medicine. Though there is much reason to suppose 
that our own soil is prolific in remedies adapted to 
the diseases of our country, the butternut is the only 
cathartic deserving of confidence, which we have yet 
discovered. 

30/A. — Dined at West Point, with Dr. Thomas, 
and accompanied him to General Patterson's quarters, 
the general humorously apologized, that he could 
afford us nothing better than a miserable glass of 
whiskey grog. Passed the river to the hospital. 
Dr. Eustis being indisposed, he requested me to bleed 
him, and I passed the night at the Point. 

Intelligence has readied us, that Brigadier General 
Peleg Wadsworth, who commanded a detachment of 
militia at a place called Camden, in the province of 
Maine, has been surprized and taken prisoner, in the 
night, by a party of British soldiers, sent for this 
purpose from tiieir post at Penobscot. It is added, 
that the general defended himself in the most daring 
and spirited manner, till he received a wound and 
was entirely overpowered. See the particulars of 
this extraordinary affair, in the x^ppendix. 

I accompanied Dr. Jolm Hart to New Windsor, to 
pay our respects to Dr. John Cochran, who is lately 
promoted to the ofUce of Director General of the 
hospitals of the United States, as successor to Dr. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 311 

Shippen, resigned. We dined with Dr. Cocliran, in 
company with Drs, Eiistis and S. Adams. Dr. Coch- 
ran, is a native of Pennsylvania. He served in the 
ofiice of surpjeon's mate in the hospital department 
during the war between tlie English and French, 
which commenced in America in 1755, and left the 
service with the reputation of an able and experi- 
enced practitioner. From that time to this, he has 
devoted himself to his professional pursuits in New 
Jersey, and has been eminently distinguished as a 
practitioner in medicine and surgery. Finding his 
native country involved in a war with Great Britain, 
his zeal and attachment to her interest, impelled him 
to the theatre of action, and he proffered his services 
as a volunteer in the hospital department. General 
Washington, justly appreciating his merit and charac- 
ter, recommended him to Congress, by whom he was 
in April, 1777, appointed physician and surgeon gene- 
ral in the middle department. He is now promoted 
to the office of director general of the hospitals of the 
United States.* Dr. James Craig, who now succeeds 
Dr. Cochran, as surgeon and physician general, was 
also employed in the French war of 1759, with Gen- 
eral Washington, who held the office of major, and 
when a mutual attachment was formed between them. 
By intelligence from our army of the south, under 
command of Major General Greene, affairs in that 

* Not long after the close of the war, Dr. Cochran removed with his 
family to New York, where he attended to the duties of his profession, 
till the adoption of the new constitution, when his friend. President 
Washington, retaining, to use his own words, " a cheerful recollection of 
his past services," nominated him to the ofiice of commissioner of loans 
for the stale of New York. This office he held till a paralytic stroke 
disahled him in some measure from the discharge of its duties, oft 
which he gave in his resignation, and retired to I'alatine, in the county 
of Montgomery, where he terminated a long and useful life, on the 6th 
of April, 1807, in the 77th year of his age. 

" He united a vigorous mind and correct judgment, with information 
derived and improved from long experience, and faithful habits of at- 
tention to the duties of his profession." He possessed tlie pure and 
inflexible principles of patriotism, and his integrity was unimpeachable. 
It is gratifying to have this opportunity of expressing a respectful recol- 
lection of his urbanity and civilities, and of affording this small tribute 
to his cherished memorv. 



312 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

quarter are exceedingly unpropitious and discourag- 
ing. The troops are so destitute of clothing, that 
their footsteps are marked with blood for want of 
shoes ; their food consists, part of the time, of rice, 
wdth frogs from ponds and ditches, and sometimes of 
peaches and berries. When they obtain a small sup- 
ply of beef, it is so miserably poor as scarcely to be 
eatable. The army is continually harassed in march- 
ing through the country, sometimes executing suc- 
cessful and honorable exploits, and again compelled to 
retreat before a victorious enemy with hair breadth 
escapes. Never perhaps were opposing commanders 
more equally matched, than General Greene and Lord 
Cornwallis, though the former is almost constantly la- 
boring under the disadvantage of inferiority of num- 
bers, and of physical force. General Greene commu- 
nicates to Congress, an account of a very obstinate and 
bloody battle fought by the two armies, at Guilford 
court-house. North Carolina, a few weeks since. Our 
commander was compelled to yield to his adversary, 
but it is a victory purchased at a ruinous price. 
Seven days after the action. General Greene writes, 
that Cornw'allis' troops were too much galled to im- 
prove their success, that he had been preparing for 
another action, expecting the enemy to advance, but of 
a sudden they took their departure, and left behind 
them evident marks of distress. All the wounded at 
Guilford v/ho had fallen into their hands ; and seventy 
of their own, too ill to be moved, were left behind. 
Most of their officers suffered ; Lord Cornwallis had 
his horse shot under him. Colonel Stuart, of the 
guards, was killed. General O'Hara and Colonels 
Tarleton and Webster wounded. Their whole loss 
is reported to be six hundred and sixty three, exclu- 
sive of officers. General Greene returned three 
hundred and twenty nine killed, wounded and mis- 
sing ; many of the latter went to their homes after 
the action. Generals Stevens and Hugar were 
wounded. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 313 

A large detachment of British troops and refugees, 
embarked at New York some time since, bound on 
an expedition to Virginia, under the command of the 
infamous traitor Arnold. He took possession of Ports- 
mouth, on James river, where they are employed 
in ravaging and rifling the plantations, and destroy- 
ing public and private property. Another body of 
royalists has lately been sent from New York, under 
Major General Phillips, who, now having the chief 
command of the British in Virginia, united with 
Arnold in a predatory warfare. General Phillips 
died soon after, and Arnold again resumed the com- 
mand. The Marquis de la Fayette, with a command 
of about one thousand five hundred light infantry, 
detached from our main army, is on his march to 
Virginia, where he is to join a body of continentals 
and militia under Baron Steuben and General Muh- 
lenburg, for the purpose of protecting that country 
from the depredations of the enemy. 

The continental army in Carolina, were successful 
after the action of Guilford, and gained the ascen- 
dency in that quarter over the British. On the 
10th of May, Lord Rawdon evacuated Camden with 
precipitation, leaving behind three of his officers 
and fifty privates, who had been dangerously wound- 
ed and were unable to be removed. He burnt the 
stores, baggage, &c. ; and left the town a heap of 
ruins. The next day the strong post of Orangeburg 
surrendered to General Sumpter. One colonel, 
several other officers, and eighty rank and file were 
made prisoners. Next followed on the 12th, fort 
Motte, the garrison consisting of nineteen officers 
and one hundred and sixty men, who surrendered 
to General Marion, as did also fort Granby, on the 
14th, to Lieutenant Colonel Lee, when one lieutenant 
colonel, two majors, six captains, six lieutenants, three 
ensigns, one surgeon, and three hundred and thirty 
three rank and file, became his prisoners. Large 
quantities of provisions and some military stores, 
40 



314 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

were found in several of the forts, and in the bag- 
gage belonging to the nineteenth regiment were 
found seven hundred guineas, which it is said Gen- 
eral Greene distributed among his troops, as a reward 
for their bravery and sufferings. 

May. — The spirit of desertion appears to prevail 
to a considerable degree among both the British and 
Hessians at New York. Instances have been fre- 
quent for several months past, of two or three com- 
ing out together. Some of them offer to engage in 
our service, but they are rejected and sent into the 
country, where they cannot effect any mischievous 
purpose. Deserters are always to be suspected, as 
they are not unfrequently employed as spies, who 
desert back again, with intelHgence for the enemy. 
Not long since, a Captain Simmons, of Delancy's 
corps, came over to our lines and was sent up to West 
Point. He asserted that, being disaffected with the 
enemy on some pretences, he had resigned his com- 
mission and deserted from them ; he was delivered 
over to the governor of the state. A few days since 
a groom belonging to an officer in the British service, 
deserted with a valuable horse from his master, 
which he sold for one hundred dollars in specie. 

A party of continental troops, commanded by Co- 
lonel Christopher Greene, of Rhode Island, being 
stationed on our lines near Croten river, were sur- 
prized by a party of the enemy, about sunrise on 
the 13th instant. They firet attacked Colonel 
Greene's and Major Flagg's quarters, and killed the 
major while in bed. The colonel being badly wound- 
ed in the house, was carried into the woods and bar- 
barously murdered. Two subalterns and twenty 
seven privates were also killed, and a lieutenant and 
surgeon, with about twenty men taken prisoners. 
This melancholy event is most deeply regretted ; 
Colonel Greene bravely distinguished himself in de- 
fence of fort Mercer, at Red bank, in October, 1777, 
and has ever been considered as a valiant and vigilant 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 315 

oJB&cer. He had taken post in a situation to guard a 
certain fording place at Croten river, and had practis- 
ed the greatest vigilance in the night time, calling oif 
his guards at sunrise, on the idea that the enemy would 
not presume to cross in the day time, but the enemy 
having learnt his mode of performing duty, effected 
their purpose by crossing the ford immediately after 
the guard had been withdrawn, and the surprize was 
so complete that no practicable defence could avail 
them. It will not be denied, that an enemy may be 
justified in availing himself of every opportunity of 
gaining an advantage over his antagonist, or that in 
some instances, slaughter is unavoidable ; but a wan- 
ton and unnecessary sacrifice of life is on all occasions 
to be deprecated as a disgraceful violation of the 
dictates of humanity. 

General Washington has performed a journey to 
Connecticut, for the purpose of an interview with 
the Count de Rochambeau, chief commander of the 
French troops, now at Rhode Island. The object of 
this interview is supposed to be the concerting of a 
system of measures to be pursued by the allied army 
in the ensuing campaign. 

Private intelligence from a confidential source we 
understand has been received at head quarters, that 
a plan has been concerted in New York, to send out 
four parties, one to assassinate or take General Wash- 
ington, another Governor Livingston, of New Jersey, 
a third Governor Clinton, of the state of New York, 
and the object of the fourth is unknown ; measures 
will undoubtedly be adopted to guard against and 
defeat this singular enterprize. 

It has several times happened that an artful and 
enterprizing fellow, by the name of Moody, employ- 
ed by the British in New York, has succeeded in 
taking our mail from the post rider on the road, 
though he has had some very remarkable escapes. 
After the interview of General Washington and 
Count Rochambeau, the British w^ere particularly 



316 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

desirous of obtaining intelligence relative to the re- 
sult. Accordingly Moody was again despatched to 
effect the object. Being perfectly well acquainted 
with the roads and passes, he waylaid the mail for 
some days in the Jerseys, till at length it was his good 
fortune to possess himself of that very mail which 
contained General Washington's despatches to Con- 
gress, communicating the information which was the 
object of their desires. This valuable prize he had 
the address to bear off to New York in safety. 

June 20th. — It is directed in general orders, that 
the whole army at this place march and encamp at 
Peekskill, leaving the invalids and a small party, to 
garrison West Point. One of the three divisions 
of the army is to pass the Hudson each day, till all 
have crossed. 

22c?. — Our division of the army crossed the Hudson 
at West Point landing yesterday, and reached Peeks- 
kill at night. We have left our cantonments in a 
woody mountain, affording a romantic and picturesque 
scenery of nature clothed in her wild and winter 
attire, having scarcely the appearance of vegetation. 
A splendid world is now open to our view, all nature 
is in animation — the fields and meadows display the 
beauties of spring, a pleasing variety of vegetables 
and flowers perfume the air, and the charming music 
of the feathered tribe delights our ears. But there 
is a contrast in music. What can compare with that 
martial band, the drum and fife, bugle horn and 
shrill trumpet, which set the war horse in motion, 
thrill through every fibre of the human frame, still 
the groans of the dying soldier, and stimulate the 
living to the noblest deeds of glory ? The full roll 
of the drum, which salutes the Commander in Chief, 
the animating beat, which calls to arms for the bat- 
tle, the reveille, which breaks our slumbers at dawn 
of day, with " come, strike your tents, and march 
away," and the evening tattoo, which commands to 
retirement and repose ; these form incomparably 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 317 

the most enchanting music that has ever vibrated on 
my ear. 

23rf. — The army is now concentrated to a point 
in this place, and encamped in two lines, and in the 
same regular order that the troops usually form in a 
line of battle, occupying a very large extent of ground 
and covering fields of corn, grain and meadows. Our 
brigade is stationed on the left of the second line. 
The campaign is now about to be opened, and we 
expect in a few days that the French army will form 
a junction with us to co-operate with our troops. 

July \8t. — A division of our French allies are on 
their march from Rhode Island, to unite with us in 
the service of the campaign. Great preparations are 
continually making for some important operation, and 
it is in general conjectured that the object of the 
campaign is to besiege New York. We are ordered 
to have four days' provisions cooked, and to march 
at three o'clock in the morning, leaving all our bag- 
gage behind, except a single blanket to each man. 
It is remarkable that we have so much as four days' 
provisions on hand. 

bth. — The reveille beat at three o'clock on the 
2d instant, when we marched and reached Tarrytown 
in the evening; the weather being extremely hot, 
the troops were much fatigued. Halted at Tarry- 
town about two hours, and then proceeded, marched 
all night, and at sunrise arrived within two miles of 
the enemy's works at King's bridge. Having halted 
about two hours, a firing of cannon and musketry 
was heard in front, and we were informed that a 
party of our troops had engaged the enemy, and we 
were ordered to advance rapidly to their assistance ; 
but before we could reach the scene of action, the 
enemy had retired within their strong works. A 
detachment of continental troops, under command 
of Major General Lincoln, went down the North 
river in boats in the night, to attack the enemy by 
surprize, or to draw them out to a distance from 



318 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

their works, to aflTord an opportunity to the Com- 
mander in Chief to engage them in the field, but this 
object could not be accomplished, and a skirmish 
only ensued, in which both parties suffered some loss, 
and General Lincoln brought off ten prisoners. We 
took our repose for tlie night in the open field, and 
our tents and baggage having arrived the next day, 
we pitched our encampment in two lines, on the 
most advantageous ground, within a few miles of the 
outposts of the enemy. The French army, under 
General Rochambeau, have arrived and encamped at 
a small distance on the left of the Americans. 

The French legion of dragoons and infantry, un- 
der command of the Duke de Luzerne, arrived and 
took their station near our encampment, and appear 
in true military style ; they are a fine looking corps, 
full of military ardor, and in conjunction with Colo- 
nel Sheldon's dragoons, much important service is ex- 
pected. 

7th. — Our army was drawn up in a line and re- 
viewed by General Rochambeau, commander in chief 
of the French army, with his Excellency General 
Washington and other general officers, 

10th. — Another review took place in presence of 
the French ambassador, from Philadelphia, after 
which the French army passed a review in presence 
of the general officers of both armies. 

13//l — Notwithstanding the active bustle which 
attends our present situation, I received an invita- 
tion with a number of officers of our regiment, to 
dine with a party of French officers in their camp. 
We were politely received under an elegant marquee, 
our entertainment coiisisted of excellent soup, roast 
beef, &c. served in French style. The gentlemen 
appear desirous of cultivating an acquaintance with 
our officers, but being ignorant of each others' lan- 
guage, we can enjoy but little conversation. The 
French army exhibit their martial array to the 
greatest advantage. In the officers we recognize the 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 319 

accomplished gentlemen, free and affable in their 
manners. Their military dress and side arms are 
elegant, the troops are under the strictest discipline, 
and are amply provided with arms and accoutrements, 
which are kept in the neatest order ; they are in 
complete uniform, coats of white broadcloth, trim- 
med with green, and white underdress, and on their 
heads they wear a singular kind of hat or chapeau. 
It is unlike our cocked hats in having but two corners 
instead of three, which gives them a very novel 
appearance. It has been remarked to their honor, 
tliat during their march from Newport to join our 
army, their course has been marked with the most 
exemplary order and regularity, committing no de- 
predations, but conducting towards the inhabitants 
on their route, with great civility and propriety. 
We now greet them as friends and allies, and they 
manifest a zealous determination to act in unison with 
us against the common enemy. This conduct must 
have a happy tendency to eradicate from the minds 
of the Americans their ancient prejudices against 
the French people. They punctually paid their ex- 
penses in hard money, which made them acceptable 
guests wherever they passed, and in fact, the large 
quantity of solid coin, which they brought into the 
United States, is to be considered as of infinite im- 
portance at the present period of our affairs. 

15th. — ^TLVo of the British frigates, and several 
smaller vessels, passed up the North river as far as 
Tarrytown, in defiance of our cannon, which were 
continually playing on them. Their object appears 
to be, to seize some of our small vessels which are 
passing down the river with supplies for our army. 
One small sloop, loaded with bread for the French 
army, has fallen into their hands. 

V7th. — A fine corps of light infantry, selected from 
the several New England regiments, is now formed 
and put under the immediate command of Colonel 
Alexander Scammel, formerly our adjutant general. 



320 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

This select corpsj consisting of the most active and 
soldierly young men and officers, is intended to march 
in advance of the main army, constantly prepared 
for active and hazardous service. Colonel Scammel 
was indulged the liberty of choosing his own officers, 
rejecting those whom he deemed unfit for his enter- 
prizing purpose. According to regular detail it fell 
to the lot of Dr. C. to act as surgeon to this corps, 
but it was the doctor's misfortune to have one blink 
eye, and not being perfectly active, Colonel Scammel 
objected to him, and desired that he might be ex- 
changed for one more competent to the duties of the 
service. In consequence of this, I received a billet 
from Dr. James Craig, chief physician and surgeon 
to the army, requesting me to repair to the detach- 
ment immediately, and take the place of Dr. C. Colo- 
nel Jackson, unwilling to have his regiment left des- 
titute of a surgeon, strongly protested against it, but 
Colonel Scammel was strenuous, and finally prevailed, 
and I now enjoy the honor of officiating as surgeon 
to a fine corps of infantry, commanded by an officer 
of the first military reputation. Dr. Munson, of the 
Connecticut line, is my mate, and the medical duties 
of Colonel Jackson's regiment devolves on Dr. Francis 
Le Baron Goodwin, surgeon's mate, during my ab- 
sence. 

19^A.— The British frigates, that passed up the 
North river a few days since, took the advantage of 
wind and tide to return to New York. A severe can- 
nonade commenced from our battery at Dobb's ferry, 
where the river is about three miles wide, they were 
compelled literally to run the gantlet. They return- 
ed the fire as they passed, but without effect. On 
board the Savage, ship of war, a box of powder took 
fire, and such was their consternation, that twenty peo- 
ple jumped into the river, among whom was a prisoner 
on board, who informs us that he was the only man 
who got on shore, all the others being drowned. He 
reports also, that the Savage was several times hulled 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 321 

by our shot, and was very near sinking. In the even- 
ing of the 21st, our army and the French were put 
in motion, marcliing with great rapidity through a 
thick unfrequented wood and swamps, and through 
fields of corn and wheat. Passing through a swamp 
in the night, our rear guard, with myself and Dr. 
Munson, lost sight of the main body of the army for 
more than an hour, and I got a severe fall from my 
horse. In the morning, we arrived near the enemy's 
post at Morrissania, but they had taken the alarm, 
and escaped to New York. Having continued there 
during the day, we retired in the evening about five 
or six miles, and lay on the hills near King's bridge, 
where we remained unmolested till the night of the 
23d, when we returned to our encampment. While 
near the enemy's lines, the army was drawn up in a 
line of battle, and General Washington, General Ro- 
chambeau, and all the general officers and engineers, 
were employed in reconnoitering the different posi- 
tions of the enemy's works in all directions. The 
position which we now occupy is the neutral ground 
between the lines, a beautiful fertile country, and the 
roads and commons as well as the enclosures are loaded 
with grass, while the deserted houses in ruins, and the 
prostrate fences, exhibit the melancholy devastation 
of war. 

31st. — Our detachment, under Colonel Scammel, 
marched last evening down to Phillips' house, near 
the enemy's works, on a foraging expedition. After 
our wagons were loaded, we retired into the woods 
and lay in ambush, with the hope that the enemy 
would g^ive us an opportunity to engage them, but 
they did not make their appearance. 

August 13th. — A most tremendous storm of rain 
came on last night, and continued almost incessantly ; 
about two o'clock in the morning, a sudden gust rent 
our tents asunder and whirled them about our ears, 
leaving us destitute of shelter, and most thoroughly 
drenched. 

41 



322 MILITARY JOUllNAL, 1781. 

\5th. — A French soldier, who deserted, and was 
taken on his way to the enemy, was shot in the French 
camp. 

General orders are now issued for the army to pre- 
pare for a movement at a moment's notice. The real 
object of the allied armies the present campaign, has 
become a subject of much speculation. Ostensibly 
an investment of the city of New York is in contem- 
plation — preparations in all quarters for some months 
past, indicate this to be the object of our combined 
operations. The capture of this place, would be a 
decisive stroke, and from the moment such event 
takes place, the English must renounce all hopes of 
subjugating the United States. But New York is 
well fortified both by land and v/ater, and garrisoned 
by the best troops of Great Britain. The success of 
a siege must depend entirely on the arrival and co- 
operation of a superior French fleet. The enemy 
have a garrison on Staten Island, which is separated 
from Long Island only by a strait of two miles wide. 
The capture of this garrison would be a brilliant 
affair, and would essentially facilitate our operations 
against New York. General Washington and Count 
Rochambeau have crossed the North river, and it is 
supposed for the purpose of reconnoitering the ene- 
my's posts from the Jersey shore. Afield for an exten- 
sive encampment has been marked out on the Jersey 
side, and a number of ovens have been erected and 
fuel provided for the purpose of baking bread for 
the army. From these combined circumstances we 
are led to conclude, that a part of our besieging 
force is to occupy that ground. But General Wash- 
ington possesses a capacious mind, full of resources, 
and he resolves and matures his great plans and de- 
signs under an impenetrable veil of secrecy, and while 
we repose the fullest confidence in our chief, our own 
opinions must be founded only on doubtful conjec- 
tures. The royal army at New York, have received 
a reinforcement of three thousand Germans from 
Europe. 



MILITARY JOUItNAL; 1781. 323 

20//i.— According to orders, we commenced our line 
of march yesterday, a party of pioneers being sent 
forward to clear the road towards King's bridge, and 
we expected immediately to follow in that direction ; 
but an army is a machine, whose motions are directed 
by its chief. When the troops were paraded for the 
march, they were ordered to face to the right about, 
and making a retrogade movement up the side of the 
Norlli river, we have reached King's ferry, and are 
preparing to cross the Hudson at this ferry. Our 
allies are in our rear, and it is probable we are des- 
tined to occupy the ground on the Jersey side. 

31*/. — Colonel Laurens has arrived at head quar- 
ters on his way from Boston to Philadelphia. This 
gentleman is the son of Mr. Henry Laurens^ our am- 
bassador to Holland, who is now confined in the 
tower of London. We have the pleasing informa- 
tion, that he has brought with him from France, a 
large sum of specie for the United States. He re- 
ports that the different powers of continental Europe 
are friendly to the cause in which we are engaged. 

Our situation reminds me of some theatrical exhi- 
bition where the interest and expectations of the 
spectators are continually increasing, and where curio- 
sity is wrought to the highest point. Our destina- 
tion has been for some time matter of perplexing 
doubt and uncertainty ; bets have run high on one 
side, that we were to occupy the ground marked out 
on the Jersey shore, to aid in the siege of New York, 
and on the other, that we are stealing a march on 
the enemy, and are actually destined to Virginia, in 
pursuit of the army under Lord Cornwallis. We 
crossed at King's ferry, 21st instant, and encamped at 
Haverstraw. A number of batteaux, mounted on 
carriages, have followed in our train, supposed for 
the purpose of conveying the troops over to Staten 
Island. 22d. Resumed our line of march, passing 
rapidly through Paramus, Acquackanack, Spring- 
field and Princeton. We have now passed all the 



324 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

enemy's posts, and are pursuing our route with 
increased rapidity towards Philadelphia ; wagons 
have been prepared to carry the soldiers' packs, 
that they may press forward with greater facility. 
Our destination can no longer be a secret. The 
British army, under Lord Cornwallis, is unquestion- 
ably the object of our present expedition. It is now 
rumored that a French fleet may soon be expect- 
ed to arrive in Chesapeake bay, to co-operate with 
the allied army in that quarter. The great secret 
respecting our late preparations and movements can 
now be explained. It was a judiciously concerted 
stratagem, calculated to menace and alarm Sir Henry 
Clinton for the safety of the garrison of New York, 
and induce him to recall a part of his troops from 
Virginia, for his own defence ; or perhaps keep- 
ing an eye on the city, to attempt its capture, pro- 
vided that by the arrival of a French fleet, favorable 
circumstances should present. The deception has 
proved completely successful, a part of Cornwallis' 
troops are reported to have returned to New York. 
His Excellency General Washington, having suc- 
ceeded in a masterly piece of generalship, has now 
the satisfaction of leaving his adversary to ruminate 
on his own mortifying situation, and to anticipate the 
perilous fate which awaits his fi'icnd, Lord Cornwallis, 
in a different quarter. Major General Heath is left 
commander in chief of our army in the vicinity of 
New York and the highlands, and the menacing as- 
pect of an attack on New York, will be continued 
till lime and circumstances shall remove the delusive 
veil from the eyes of Sir Henry Clinton, when it will 
probably be too late to afford succour to Lord Corn- 
wallis. To our officers, the inactivity of the royal 
army in New York, is truly unaccountable — they 
might without risking a great deal, harass our army 
on its march, and subject us to irreparable injury ; 
but the royalists are more dexterous in availing 
themselves of treachery and insurrection, than in 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 335 

effecting valorous achievements. In passing thrmigh 
PiiMceton, but little time was allowed me to visit 
the college. This once celebrated seminary is now 
destitute of students, and the business of education 
is entirely suspended in consequence of the constant 
bustle and vicissitudes of war. The little village of 
Princeton is beautifully situated, and the college 
edifice is of stone, four stories high, and lighted by 
twenty five windows in front, in each story. It has 
suffered considerable injury in being occupied alter- 
nately by the soldiers of the two contending armies. 
Trenton, where we are now encamped for the iiigiit, 
is a much more considerable village, and more ad- 
vantageously situated, on the north eastern bank of 
the Delaware, twenty seven miles above Philadel- 
phia. This is the town which General Washington 
has rendered famous to the latest times, by a victory 
in which he so happily displayed the resources of his 
genius, in the severe winter of 1776. Great indeed 
must be the resouixes of that man who can render 
himself the most formidable to an enemy, when ap- 
parently he is the most destitute of power. General 
Washington and Count Rochambeau having proceed- 
ed to Virginia by land. Major General Lincoln takes 
the command of our troops, and the Baron de Vio- 
menil, those of the French. 

September Sth. — We crossed the Delaware river 
at Trenton ferry, on the 1st instant, and in the after- 
noon crossed a small river at Sharamany's rope ferry. 
Our boats were pulled across with facility by a rope 
made fast at each shore. We marched nineteen 
miles, and encamped at a place called Lower Dublin, 
2d. In the afternoon, marched through the city of 
Philadelphia. The streets being extremely dirty 
and the weather warm and dry, we raised a dust like 
a smothering snow storm, blinding our eyes and cover- 
ing our bodies with it ; this was not a little mortify- 
ing as the ladies were viewing us from the open 
windows of every house as we passed through this 



326 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

splendid city. The scene must have been exceed- 
ingly interesting to the inhabitants, and contem- 
plating the noble cause in which we are engaged, 
they must have experienced in their hearts a glow 
of patriotism, if not emotions of military ardor. Our 
line of march, including appendages and attendants, 
extended nearly two miles. The general ofiicers 
and their aids, in rich military uniform, mounted on 
noble steeds elegantly caparisoned, were followed by 
their servants and baggage. In the rear of every 
brigade were several field pieces, accompanied by 
ammunition carriages. The soldiers marched in slow 
and solemn step, regulated by the drum and fife. 
In the rear followed a great number of wagons load- 
ed with tents, provisions and other baggage, such as 
a few soldiers' wives and children ; though a very 
small number of these are allowed to encumber us on 
this occasion. The day following, the French troops 
marched through the city, dressed in complete uniform 
of white broadcloth, faced with green, and besides the 
drum and fife, they were furnished with a complete 
band of music, which operates like enchantment. *^ 

* The following is extraofed from letters j)iiblished by a French 
clergyman, in Count Rochanibeau's army. 

" The arrival of the French army at Philadelphia, was more like a 
triumph, than simply a passing through the place; the troops made a 
halt about a quarter of a league from the city, and in an instant were 
dressed as elegantly as ever the soldiers of a garrison were on a day of 
review ; they then marched through the town, with the military music 
playing before them, which is always particularly pleasing to the Ame- 
ricans ; the streets were crowded with people, and the ladies appeared 
at the windows in Iht.ir most brilliant attire. All Philadelphia was 
astonished to see people wlio had endured the fatigues of a long jour- 
ney, so rudd}' and handsome, and even wondered that there could pos- 
sibly be Frenchmen of so genteel an appearance. 

"• The troops next marched in single file before the Congress, and 
M. le Chevalier de la Luzerne, minister from the court of France, and 
afterwards encamped in a large plain contiguous to the river Schuylkill. 
The next day after our arrival, the regiment of Soissonnais went through 
the exercise of fire arms ; at least twenty thousand persons, and a 
vast number of carriages, rem;irkable for their lightness and elegance, 
added to the lustre of tlWs exhibition, which was still heightened by the 
pleasantness of the situation, and the remarkable serenity of the day. 
The rapidity of the military evolutions, the soldierly appearance of 
the troops in general, and the exactness of their motions, surprized and 
enraptured the beholders. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 327 

3d. — We crossed the river Schuylkill, over a float- 
ing bridge, and encamped four miles from Philadel- 

" We were a good deal amused with a mistake of some of the com- 
mon people, who took for a general, one of those alert fellows, whom 
our comniandinsc officers cojnmonly have in their retinue to run up and 
down to carry their written orders. His short, tight bodied coat, his 
ricl) waistcoat, with a silver fringe, his rose colored shoes, his cap, adorn- 
ed will) a coat of arras, and his cane, with an enormous head — all ap- 
peared to them so many tokens of extraordinary dignify. Though he 
ajjproached his master, the colonel commandant, merely to receive and 
publish his orders, they imagined that he gave them of his own accord, 
;iiLd directed the movements of the troops, independently of any 
superior. 

" The President of Congress, the Honorable Thomas M'Kean, Es- 
quire, in a suit of black velvet, honored this review with his presence. 
These honest Pennsylvanians differ very considerably from us in the 
ceremonies of dress, as we differ from them again in our modes of legis- 
lation. 

" The marifEuvres of our troops raised the most flattering expecta- 
tions in tlie minds of the spectators ; and they did not hesitate to der 
clare, that such soldiers were invincible. 

" This day was destined for favorable omens. M. le Chevalier de la 
Lnzerne, who on this occapion, received his countrymen with the dig- 
nity and generosity of the representative of a great monarch, and the 
frankness and cordiality of an individual, after the review, invited all 
the officers to dine with him. Hardly were we seated at the table, 
when an express arrived ; a disquieting silence immediately seized every 
guest — our eyes were fixed on the Chevalier de la Luzerne, every one 
endeavoring to guess what the message would turn out to be — " Thirty 
six ships of the line," said he, "■ commanded by Monsieur le Comte de 
Grasse, are arrived in Chesapeake bay, and three thousand men have 
landed and opened a communication with the Marquis de la Fayette." 
Joy and good humor, immediately resumed their place on every coun- 
tenance. Our impatient leaders began to count the days, and reckon 
how long it would be before they could have it in their power to face 
the enemy, and their heated imaginations made the time much shorter 
than it afterwards proved to be. Healths were next drank ; and that 
of the minister of the marine of France was not forgotten, whose 
activity and great abilities have paved the way to the most brilliant sac- 
ceeses of our fleet ; the presence of his son, M. le Comte de Chartre, 
second colonel of the regiment of Saintonge, added still more to our 
pleasure and satisfaction. 

" Among others, Charles Thomson, the Secretary of Congress, the 
soul of that political body, came also to receive and present his com- 
pliments. His meagre figure, furrowed countenance, his hollow 
sparkling eyes, his white strait hair, that did not hang qiiite so low as 
his ears, fixed our thorough attention, and filled us with surprize and 
admiration. 

" The important news of the arrival of Count de Grasse, was soon 
spread throughout the city, and echoes of joy were heard from every quar- 
ter ; some merry fellows mounted on scaffolds and stages, pronounced 
funeral orations for Cornwallis, and uttered lamentations on the grief 
and distress of the tories. The peopls ran in crowds to the residence 



328 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

phia, where we continued through the day, to give 
the men time to rest and wash their clothes. 4th. 
Marched through Wihnington, eighteen miles. This 
is a handsome flourishing village, situated on the 
Delaware river, on a small bianch of which is erected 
eight very large and valuable stone mills, where an 
immense quantity of wheat is ground and bolted. 
The wheat is brought in vessels to the very door, 
and the flour taken off in return. The Rev. Mr. 
Smith, minister of this place, and Dr. Smith, his 
brother, politely introduced themselves to me, and I 
took tea and spent the evening at Dr. Smith's, in 
social friendship. Marched again on the 5th, and on 
the 6th arrived at the head of Elk river, Maryland, 
in the morning, having completed a march of two 
hundred miles in fifteen days. 

An express has now arrived from Virginia, with 
the pleasing intelligence that the Count de Grasse 
has actually arrived at the mouth of the Chesapeake 
bay, with a fleet of thirty six ships of the line, and 
three thousand land forces, which are landed and 
have joined our troops under the Marquis de la Fay- 
ette, in Virginia. 

The royal army, under Lord Cornwallis, has taken 
post in York town, situated on York river, in Virginia, 
where he has constructed strong fortifications for his 
defence ; but his communication by water is now en- 
tirely cut off by several French ships stationed at the 
mouth of the river. Preparation is constantly mak- 
ing for our troops and our allies who have arrived 
here, to embark at the head of Elk river, whence we 
shall proceed down the Chesapeake bay to Yorktown, 
in pursuit of the object of our expedition. About 

of the minister of France ; and Long live Louis the Sixteenth., was the 
general cry. 

" Thus you see the people are universally persuaded of the success 
of this expedition. Could these flattering hopes be realized, they would 
hasten a peace, which in our situation, and under the wise and benevo- 
lent prince that governs us, would place France in a point of view that 
Jias been wholly unknown since the existence of hermonarchy." 



MILITAHY JOURNAL, 1781. 329 

eighty vessels are in readiness, great activity prevails, 
embarkation has commenced and our horses are sent 
round to Virginia by land. It falls to my lot to take 
passage on beard a small schooner, with four other 
officers and sixty men. She is so deeply laden with 
cannon, mortars and other ordnance, that our situation 
will be attended with considerable danger, if rough 
weather should overtake us. 

llt/i. — Sailed at four o'clock, P. M. on board the 
schooner Glasco, beat against contrary wind down the 
Elk river, and at sun rise next morning, entered the 
head of the great Chesapeake bay, eighteen miles 
from the place of embarkation. The bay at its en- 
trance, is six or seven miles wide, and has two rivers 
which empty into it on the west side — the Northeast 
river and the great Susquehannah, which takes its 
origin at lake Otsego, six hundred miles from this 
bay. Another river called Sassafras, which empties 
into the bay on the east side, is navigable to George- 
town, twelve miles. Pool's Island affords a romantic 
prospect, being about two miles long, and three quar- 
ters of a mile wide, supporting two families. About 
twelve miles further down, the bay widens to about 
ten miles, and on the west side is the river Patapsco, 
at the head of which twelve miles from its mouth, 
stands the town of Baltimore, which admits large ships 
into its capacious and convenient harbor. Nearly 
opposite to this, Chester river empties into the bay 
on the eastern shore, and is navigable fifty miles. 

The town of Annapolis, the metropolis of Mary- 
land, is situated on the western shore at the mouth 
of the river Severn, where it falls into the bay. We 
came to anchor in the harbor at sun setting, and I 
accompanied several officers to the coffee house, and 
partook of a handsome supper. A very severe shovi'er 
of rain with high winds and extreme darkness, oblig- 
ed us to spend the night on shore. On the 13th, we 
returned on board at seven o'clock, and proceeded 
on our voyage before a fresh gale, but had not sailed 
42 



330 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

more than four miles, when we were recalled by ex- 
press to the harbor of Annapolis. This is in con- 
sequence of intelligence of a naval action between 
the British and French fleets near the mouth of the 
Chesapeake bay. Our safety requires that we should 
remain in port till the event of the battle is known. 
Should the British have obtained the victory, and 
should they get possession of the Chesapeake bay, 
we shall be unable to proceed on our voyage, and 
our expedition will be entirely defeated. Annapolis 
is a very inconsiderable city, but the buildings are 
chiefly of brick and many of them are in a style of 
elegance and grandeur. The state house, in the 
centre of the city, is a most splendid and magnificent 
piece of architecture ; it is topped with a handsome 
dome ; the several apartments are finished in a style 
surpassing every thing which I have before witnessed. 
The archives for the seetirity of the public records 
are fire proof. It is remarkable that there is not a 
church in the city, though they have an ordinary 
building which t|ley occupy for a theatre. We were 
treated with much politeness and hospitality, and re- 
ceived an invitation to dine at the house of a respect- 
able gentleman. In the evening we attended the 
theatre, and were entertained by a Mr. Wall, who 
exhibited Stephens' lecture on heads, greatly to the 
amusement of the audience, after which Mrs. Wall 
exhibited a variety of amusing scenes, and her little 
daughter of seven years of age, spoke an epilogue, 
and sung several songs to the admiration of all pre- 
sent. 

Information has just reached us that after General 
Arnold had returned from his depredating expedi- 
tion to Virginia, he was despatched on a new incur- 
sion to Connecticut, his native state. His force con- 
sisted of two tliousand infantry and three hundred 
cavalry, accompanied by forty sail of ships and trans- 
ports. He landed his troops at the mouth of New 
London harbor, and proceeded to the town. Fort 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 331 

Trumbull not being tenable, was soon evacuated by our 
people, but fort Griswold on the other side of the 
river was courageously defended by Colonel Ledyard, 
and a few militia men hastily collected. The assault 
on this fort was made by Colonel Eyre, who was three 
or four times repulsed, and finally received himself 
a mortal wound, and Major Montgomery being kill- 
ed, the command devolved on Major Bromfield, who 
by a superior force and much resolution, carried the 
place at the point of the bayonet. On entering the fort 
the British oillcer inquiring who commanded? Colo- 
nel Ledyard answered, "I did. Sir, but you do nov/,*^ 
and presented him his sword as a prisoner, when the 
British officer plunged his sword into the body of 
Colonel Ledyard, and several soldiers assisted with 
their bayonets in despatching him. An indiscrim- 
inate slaughter by the bayonet of those who had sur- 
rendered immediately ensued, and seventy three 
men were left dead in the fort, about forty wounded, 
and the same number taken prisoners. Arnold con- 
tinued on the New London side suffering the town 
to be plundered, and by a conflagration, sixty dwell- 
ing houses and eighty four stores were entirely de- 
stroyed. The loss which we sustained was very 
considerable, consisting of vessels, naval stores, Eu- 
ropean goods, provisions, &c. and not less than one 
hundred inhabitants were deprived of their habita- 
tions and all their property. The militia collect- 
ed and conducted with great spirit and alacrity in 
avenging the murder of their friends, and they hast- 
ened the retreat of the enemy, after the loss of 
two officers and forty six rank and file killed, and 
eight officers and one hundred and thirty five rank 
and file wounded. It is reported that a wagon load- 
ed with their wounded soldiers, was put in motion 
from the top of a long and steep hill, which in its 
rapid course struck an apple tree with such force 
that the faint and bleeding men received a shock 
which killed a part of them instantly. It is highly 



332 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

probable that Sir Henry Clinton projected this expe- 
dition to Connecticut, in the hope of diverting Gen- 
eral Washington from his enterprize against Earl 
Cornwallis ; but this manoeuvre will not effect his 
object. 

15th. — The gratifying intelligence is announced 
that the naval engagement between the two fleets, 
has resulted in the defeat of the British with consid- 
erable loss, and the French have now the sole com- 
mand of the Chesapeake bay. This event is of in- 
finite importance, and fills our hearts with joy, as we 
can now proceed on our expedition. 

16th. — We obeyed the signal for sailing, and pass- 
ed Sharp's Island, which is situated in the middle of 
the bay, two miles long and one wide ; it supports 
four families. Sent one boat on shore and procured 
some poultry and fruit. 18th, Passed the great 
Potomac, which divides the states of Maryland and 
Virginia. At its mouth it is about fifteen miles 
wide, it is navigable for large ships, up to George- 
town, which is one hundred and seventy miles dis- 
tant, on the Maryland shore, while the city of 
Alexandria is situated a few miles below it on the 
Virginia shore. The bay at this place is about thirty 
miles wide. The wind this afternoon has blown with 
all the violence of a gale, the bow of our vessel, in 
ploughing through the billows, is frequently brought 
under water, which keeps us in perpetual alarm. 
We passed York river on the western or Virginia 
shore, fifteen miles from the mouth of which stands 
Yorktown, where the royal army under Lord Corn- 
wallis is posted, and which it is the object of our 
expedition to capture. He is completely blockaded 
by three French ships of the line and several smaller 
armed vessels lying at the mouth of York river. 
20th, Passed Hampton road, and entered James 
river, which is at its entrance about five miles wide. 
We enjoyed a distant view of the grand French fleet 
riding at anchor at the mouth of the Chesapeake, 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 333 

consisting of thirty six ships of war, besides frigates 
and other armed vessels. This was the most noble 
and majestic spectacle I ever witnessed, and we view- 
ed it with inexpressible pleasure, and the warmest 
gratitude was excited in every breast towards our 
great ally. 

22d. — Reached the harbor between Jamestown 
and Williamsburg, where the greater part of our 
transports arrived in the course of the day, and the 
troops disembarked and encamped on the banks of 
the river, within twelve miles of Yorktown. We 
now congratulated ourselves on having completed our 
voyage of three hundred and fifty miles, which, on 
account of contrary winds and detention at Annapo- 
lis, has occupied twelve days ; vessels with troops 
are arriving every day. Jamestown is the place 
where the English first established themselves in Vir- 
ginia, in 1607. Though the most ancient settlement 
in America, it cannot now be called a town, there 
being but tw^o houses standing on the banks of the 
river. 25th, Marched from the landing place through 
the city of Williamsburg. This is the capital of 
Virginia, but in other respects is of little importance. 
It is situated on a level piece of land, at an equal dis- 
tance between two small rivers, one of which falls 
into York, the other into James river. The city 
is one mile and a quarter in length, and contains 
about two hundred and fifty houses. The main 
street is more than one hundred feet in width, and 
exactly one mile in length — at one of the extremi- 
ties, and fronting the street, is the capitol, or state 
house, a handsome edifice, and at the other end is 
the college, capable of accommodating three hun- 
dred students, but the tumult of war has broken up 
the institution. The college is about one hundred 
and thirty feet in length and forty in breadth, with 
two handsome wings fifty by thirty. Their library 
is said to consist of about three thousand volumes. 
Near the centre of the city is a large church, and 



334 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781, 

not far from it the palace, the usual residence of the 
governor, which is a splendid building. The water 
in this vicinity is extremely brackish and disagreea- 
ble. This part of the state of Virginia is celebrated 
for the excellent tobacco which it produces, and this 
is their principal staple commodity, though the cul- 
ture of cotton receives some attention. Indian corn, 
hemp and flax, are also among the productions of 
this state. The population of Virginia is computed 
at one hundred and fifty thousand whites, and five 
hundred thousand negro slaves. The labor, there- 
fore, on the Virginia plantations, is performed alto- 
gether by a species of the human race, who have 
been cruelly wrested from their native country and 
doomed to perpetual bondage, while their masters 
are manfully contending for freedom, and the natural 
rights of man. Such is the inconsistency of human 
nature. Should Providence ordain that the Ameri- 
cans shall be emancipated from thraldom, it should 
in gratitude be our prayer, that the African slave 
may be permitted to participate in the blessings of 
freedom. 

27th. — We arrived at Yorktown yesterday from 
Jamestown, and have encamped within one mile of 
the enemy's line of redoubts. 

28M. — The French troops have arrived and en- 
camped on our left. Yorktown is situated on the 
south bank of the river, about fifteen miles from its 
entrance into Chesapeake bay. In this little village, 
Lord Cornwallis, with about seven thousand troops, 
has taken his station, and is endeavoring to fortify 
himself against the impending danger of our combined 
operations. His communication by water is entirely 
cut off by the French ships of war stationed at the 
mouth of the river, preventing both his escape and 
receiving succor from Sir Henry Clinton at New 
York. The allied army is about twelve thousand 
strong, exclusive of the militia, under Governor 
Nelson. The Americans form the right and the 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 335 

French the left wing of the combined forces, each 
extending to the borders of the river, by which the 
besiegers form a half circle round the town. His 
Excellency General Washington commands in per- 
son, and is assisted by Major General Lincoln, Baron 
Steuben, the Marquis de la Fayette, General Knox, 
&c. The French troops are commanded by General 
the Count Rochambeau, a brave and experienced 
oflicer, having under him a number of officers of 
distinguished character. Unbounded confidence is 
reposed in our illustrious commanders, the spirit of 
emulation and military ardor universally prevail, and 
we are sanguine in our expectations that a surrender 
of the royal army must be his Lordship's fate. 

A cannonade commenced yesterday from the town, 
by which one man received a wound, and I assisted in 
amputating his leg. 30th, We were agreeably sur- 
prized this morning, to find that the enemy had, during 
the preceding night, abandoned three or four of their 
redoubts, and retired within the town, leaving a con- 
siderable extent of commanding ground which might 
have cost us much labor and many lives to obtain by 
force. Our light infantry and a party of French were 
ordered to advance and take possession of the aban- 
doned ground, and to serve as a covering party to 
our troops who are employed in throwing up breast 
works. Considerable cannonading from the besieged 
in the course of the day, and four militia men were 
wounded by a single shot, one of whom died soon 
after. An occurrence has just been announced which 
fills our hearts with grief and sorrow. Colonel Alex- 
ander Scaramel being officer of the day, while re- 
connoitering the ground which the enemy had aban- 
doned, was surprized by a party of their horse, and 
after having surrendered, they had the baseness to 
tnflict a wound which we fear will prove mortal ; 
they have carried him into Yorktown. 

October \st, and 2d. — Our troops have been en- 
gaged in throwing up two redoubts in the night time : 



336 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

on discovery, the enemy commenced a furious can- 
nonade, but it does not deter our men from going on 
vigorously witli their work. Heavy cannon and 
mortars are continually arriving, and the greatest 
preparations are made to prosecute the siege in the 
most effectual manner. 

3f/, and 4/A. — A considerable cannonading from 
the enemy, one shot killed three men, and mortally 
wounded another. While the Reverend Mr. Evans, 
our chaplain, was standing near the Commander in 
Chief, a shot struck the ground so near as to cover 
his hat with sand ; being much agitated, he took off his 
hat and said, ^^see here. General." "^^ Mr. Evans," 
replied his Excellency, with his usual composure, 
'' you had better carry that home and show it to 
your wife and children." Two soldiers from the 
French, and one from us deserted to the enemy, and 
two British soldiers deserted to our camp the same 
night. The enemy from the want of forage are kill- 
ing off their horses in great numbers ; six or seven 
hundred of these valuable animals have been killed, 
and their carcases are almost continually floating 
down the river. The British are in possession of a 
place called Gloucester, on the north side of the 
river, nearly opposite Yorktown ; their force con- 
sists of one British regiment, and Colonel Tarleton's 
legion of horse and infantry. In opposition to this 
force the French legion, under the command of the 
Duke de Luzerne, and a detachment of French in- 
fantry and militia, are posted in that vicinity. Tarle- 
ton is a bold and impetuous leader, and has spread 
terror through tiie Carolinas and Virginia for some 
time past. In making a sally from Gloucester yes- 
terday, they were attacked by the French and de- 
feated with the loss of the commanding oflicer of 
their infantry and about fifty men killed and wound- 
ed, among the latter is Tarleton himself. The Duke 
lost three men killed and two ofiicers and eleven 
men wounded. It is with much concern we learn 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 337 

that Colonel Scammel died at Williamsburg, of the 
wound which he received a few days since, when he 
was taken prisoner ; the wound was inflicted after he 
had surrendered. At the request of General Wash- 
ington, Lord Cornwallis allowed hira to be carried 
to Williamsburg, where he died this day, univer- 
sally lamented, as he was while living universally 
respected and esteemed. The Commander in Chief 
was well apprized of his merit, and bestowed on him 
marks of his friendly regard and confidence. For 
some time he sustained the ofiice of adjutant gen- 
eral to our army, but prefering a more active com- 
mand and the post of danger, he was put at the head 
of a regiment of light infantry for this enterprizing 
campaign. The British have sent from Yorktown a 
large number of negroes sick with the small pox, 
probably for the purpose of communicating the in- 
fection to our army ; thus our inhuman enemies resort 
to every method in their power, however barbarous 
or cruel, to injure and distress, and thus to gain an 
advantage over their opposers. 

7th. — A large detachment of the allied army, 
under command of Major General Lincoln, were 
ordered out last evening, for the purpose of opening 
intrench ments near the enemy's lines. This business 
was conducted with great silence and secrecy, and 
we w^ere favored by Providence with a night of ex- 
treme darkness, and were not discovered before day 
light. The working party carried on their shoulders 
fascines and intrenching tools, while a large part of 
the detachment was armed with the implements of 
death. Horses, drawing cannon and ordnance, and 
wagons loaded with bags filled with sand for con- 
structing breast works, followed in the rear. Thus 
arranged, every officer and soldier knowing his par- 
ticular station, orders were given to advance in per- 
fect silence, the distance about one mile. My station 
on this occasion was, with Dr. Munson, my mate, in 
the rear of the troops, and as the music was not to 
43 



338 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

be employed, about twenty drummers and lifers, 
were put under my charge to assist me in case of 
having wounded men to attend. I put into the hands 
of a drummer, a mulatto fellow, my instruments, 
bandages, &c. with a pnsiti^ e order to keep at my 
elbow, and not lose sight of me a moment ; it was 
not long however, before I found to my astonishment 
that he had left me and gone in pursuit of some rum, 
and carried off the articles which are indispensable 
in time of action. In this very unpleasant predica- 
ment, unwilling to trust another, I hastened with all 
speed to the hospital, about one mile, to procure 
another supply from Dr. Craik ; and he desired that 
if the Marquis de la Fayette should be wounded I 
would devote to him my first attention. On my re- 
turn I found Dr. Munson and my party waiting, but 
the troops had marched on and we knew not their 
route. We were obliged to follow at random, and in 
the darkness of night, hazarding our approach to the 
enemy. Having advanced about half a mile, of a 
sudden a party of armed men in white uniform rose 
from the ground, and ordered us to stop ; they prov- 
ed to be the rear guard of the French. The officer 
demanded the countersign, which I was unable to 
give, and as we could not understand each others' 
language, I was detained under considerable embar- 
rassment till an officer who could speak English was 
called, when producing my instruments and band- 
ages, and assuring the French officer that I was sur- 
geon to the infantry, he politely conducted me to 
my station. Our troops were indefatigable in their 
labors during the night, and before day light they 
had nearly completed the first parallel line of nearly 
two miles in extent, besides laying a foundation for 
two redoubts, within about six hundred yards of the 
enemy's lines. At day light the enemy having dis- 
covered our works, commenced a severe cannonade, 
but our men being under cover received no injury. 
A French soldier deserted to the enemy, after which 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 339 

there was a constant firing against the French lines, 
and one officer was killed, and fifteen men were killed 
or wounded. In the latter part of the night it rain- 
ed severely, and being in the open field, cold and 
uncomfortable, I entered a small hut made of brush, 
which the enemy had abandoned, soon after, a man 
came to the door, and seeing me standing in the cen- 
tre instantly drew his sword, and put himself in an 
attitude to plunge it into me. I called out friend, 
friend, and he as speedily to my great joy responded, 
•• Ah, Monsieur, /r^e?^G?," and returning his sword to 
its place he departed. I think he was a French 
soldier, and it is doubtful whether he or myself was 
the most frightened. 

8if/i, and ^th. — The duty of our troops has been 
for several days extremely severe ; our regiment 
labors in the trenches every other day and night, 
where I find it difficult to avoid suffering by the 
cold, having no other covering than a single blanket 
in the open field. We erected a battery last night 
in front of our first parallel, without any annoyance 
from the enemy. Two or three of our batteries 
being now prepared to open on the town, his Ex- 
cellency General Washington put the match to the 
first gun, and a furious discharge of cannon and mor- 
tars immediately followed, and Earl Cornwallis has 
received his first salutation. 

From the 10th to the 15th, a tremendous and in- 
cessant firing from the American and French bat- 
teries is kept up, and the enemy return the fire, but 
with little eifect. A red hot shell from the French 
battery set fire to the Charon, a British 44 gun ship, 
and two or three smaller vessels at anchor in the 
river, which were consumed in the night. From the 
bank of the river, I had a fine view of this splendid 
conflagration. The ships were enwrapped in a tor- 
rent of fire, which spreading with vivid brightness 
among the combustible rigging, and running with 
amazing rapidity to the tops of the several masts, 



340 MILITARY JOtTRNAL, 1781. 

while all around was tlmnder and lightning from oiir 
numerous cannon and mortars, and in the darkness 
of night, presented one of the most sublime and mag- 
nificent spectacles which can be imagined. Some of 
our shells, overreaching the town, are seen to fall 
into the river, and bursting, throw up columns of 
water like the spouting of the monsters of the deep. 
We have now made further approaches to the town, 
by throwing up a second parallel line, and batteries 
within about three hundred yards, this was etTected 
in the night, and at day light the enemy were roused 
to the greatest exertions, the engines of war have 
raged with redoubled fury and destruction on both 
sides, no cessation day or night. The French had two 
officers wounded, and fifteen men killed or wounded, 
and among the Americans, two or three were wound- 
ed. I assisted in amputating a man's thigh. The 
siege is daily becoming more and more formidable 
and alarming, and his Lordship must view his situa- 
tion as extremely critical, if not desperate. Being 
in the trenches every other night and day, I have a 
fine opportunity of witnessing the sublime and stupen- 
dous scene which is continually exhibiting. The 
bomb sliells from the besiegers and the besieged are 
incessantly crossing each others' path in the air. They 
are clearly visible in the form of a black- ball in the 
day, but in the night, they appear like a fiery meteor 
with a blazing tail, most beautifully brilliant, ascend- 
ing majestically from the mortar to a certain altitude, 
and gradually descending to the spot where they are 
destined to execute their work of destruction. It is 
astonishing with what accuracy an experienced gun- 
ner will make his calculations, that a shell shall fall 
within a few feet of a given point, and burst at the 
precise time, though at a great distance. When a 
shell falls, it whirls round, burrows, and excavates 
the earth to a considerable extent, and bursting, 
makes dreadful havoc around. I have more than 
once witnessed fragments of the mangled bodies and 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 341 

limbs of the British soldiers thrown into the air by 
the bursting of our shells, and by one from the enemy, 
Captain White, of the seventh Massachusetts regiment, 
and one soldier were killed, and another wounded near 
where I was standing. About twelve or fourteen men 
have been killed or wounded within twenty four 
hours ; I attended at the hospital, amputated a raan'5 
arm, and assisted in dressing a number of wounds. 
The enemy having two redoubts, about three hun- 
dred yards in front of their principal works, which 
enfiladed our entrenchment and impeded our ap- 
proaches, it was resolved to take possession of them 
both by assault. The one on the left of the British 
garrison, bordering on the banks of the river, was 
assigned to our brigade of light infantry, under the 
command of the Marquis de la Fayette. .The ad- 
vanced corps was led on by the intrepid Colonel 
Hamilton, who had commanded a regiment of light 
infantry during the campaign, and assisted by Colonel 
Gimat. The assault commenced at eight o'clock in 
the evening, and the assailants bravely entered the 
fort with the point of the bayonet without firing a 
single gun. We suffered the loss of eight men killed, 
and about thirty wounded, among whom Colonel 
Gimat received a slight wound in his foot, and Major 
Gibbs, of his Excellency's guard, and two other offi- 
cers, were slightly wounded. Major Campbell, who 
commanded in the fort, was wounded and taken priso- 
ner, with about thirty soldiers, the remainder made 
their escape. I was desired to visit the wounded in 
the fort, even before the balls had ceased whistling 
about my ears, and saw a sergeant and eight men 
dead in the ditch. A captain of our infantry, belong- 
ing to New Hampshire, threatened to take the life of 
Major Campbell, to avenge the death of his favorite, 
Colonel Scammel, but Colonel Hamilton interposed, 
and not a man was killed after he ceased to resist. 
During the assault, the British kept up an incessant 
firing of cannon and musketry from their whole line. 



342 MILITARY JOURNAL;, 1781. 

His Excellency General Washington, Generals Lin- 
coln and Knox, with their aids, having dismounted, 
were standing in an exposed situation waiting the 
result. Colonel Cobb, one of General Washington's 
aids, solicitous for his safety, said to his Excellency, 
" Sir, you are too much exposed here, had you not 
better step a little back." '^ Colonel Cobb," replied 
his Excellency, ^' if you are afraid, you have liberty 
to step back." The other redoubt on the right of 
the British lines was assaulted at the same time by a 
devachment of the French, commanded by the gallant 
Baron de Viominel. Such was the ardor displayed 
by the assailants, that all resistance was soon over- 
come, though at the expense of nearly one hundred 
men killed and wounded.*" Of the defenders of the 
redoubt, eighteen were killed, and one captain and 
two subaltern officers and forty two rank and file 
captured. Our second parallel line was immediately 
connected with the two redoubts now taken from the 
enemy, and some new batteries were thrown up in 
front of our second parallel line, with a covert way, 
and angling work approaching to less than three 
hundred yards of their principal forts. These will 
soon be mantled with cannon and mortars, and when 
their horrid thundering commences, it must convince 
his Lordship, that his post is not invincible, and that 
submission must soon be his only alternative. Our 



* The cause of the great loss sustained by the French troops in com- 
parison with that o{ the Americans, in storming tlioir respective re- 
doubts, was that tlie American troops when they came to the abattis, 
removed a part of it ^vith tlieir hands and leaped over tl)e remainder. 
The Freiich troops on coming up to tlitirs, waited till their pioneers had 
cut away the abattis secundum arlem, which exposed them longer to 
the galling fire of the enemy. To this cause also is to be ascribed the 
circumstance, that the redoubt assailed by the Americans, was car- 
ried before that attacked by Hie French troops. The Marquis de la 
Fayette, sent his aid. Major Barbour, tlirough the (remendous fire of the 
whole line of the British, to inform the Baron Viominel, that " he was 
jn his redoubt, and to ask the Baron where he was." The major found 
the Baron waiting the clearing away the abattis, but sent this answer, 
''tell the Marquis I am not in mine, but will be in five minutes." He 
instantly advanced, and was witliia or nearly so, within his time. 



MILITARY JOUKNAL, 1781. 343 

artillery men, by the exactness of their aim, make 
every discharge take efi'ect, so that many of the ene- 
my's guns are entirely silenced and their works are 
almost in ruins. 

l^th. — x\ party of the enemy, consisting of about 
four hundred men, commanded by Colonel Aber- 
crombie, about four in the morning, made a vigor- 
ous sortie against two unfinished redoubts occupied 
by the French, they spiked up seven or eight 
pieces of cannon, and killed several soldiers, but the 
French advanced and drove them from the redoubts, 
leaving several killed and wounded. Our New Eng- 
land troops have now become very sickly, the pre- 
valent diseases are intermittent and remittent fevers, 
which are very prevalent in this climate during the 
autumnal months. 

17th. — The whole of our works are now mount- 
ed with cannon and mortars, not less than one hun- 
dred pieces of heavy ordnance have been in con- 
tinual operation during the last twenty four hours. 
The whole peninsula trembles under the incessant 
thunderings of our infernal machines ; we have 
leveled some of their works in ruins and silenced 
their guns ; they have almost ceased firing. We are 
so near as to have a distinct view of the dreadful 
havoc and destruction of their works, and even see 
the men in their lines torn to pieces by the bursting 
of our shells. But the scene is drawing to a close. 
Lord Cornwallis at length realizing the extreme 
hazard of his deplorable situation, and finding it in 
vain any longer to resist, has this forenoon come to the 
humiliating expedient of sending out a flag, request- 
ing a cessation of hostilities for twenty four hours, 
that commissioners may be appointed to prepare and 
adjust the terms of capitulation. Two or three flags 
passed in the course of the day, and General Wash- 
ington consented to a cessation of hostilities for two 
hours only, that his Lordship may suggest his pro- 
posals as a basis for a treaty, which being in part 



344 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

accepted, a suspension of hostilities will be continued 
till tomorrow. 

ISth. — It is now ascertained that Lord Corn- 
wallis, to avoid the necessity of a surrender, had de- 
termined on the bold attempt to make his escape 
in the night of the 16th, with a part of his army 
into the country. His plan was to leave sick and 
baggage behind, and to cross with his effective 
force over to Gloucester point, there to destroy 
the French legion and other troops, and to mount 
his infantry on their horses and such others as 
might be procured, and thus push their way to 
New York by land. A more preposterous and des- 
perate attempt can scarcely be imagined. Boats were 
secretly prepared, arrangements made, and a large 
proportion of his troops actually embarked and land- 
ed on Gloucester point, when from a moderate and 
calm evening, a most violent storm of wind and rain 
ensued. The boats with the remaining troops were 
all driven down the river, and it was not till the next 
day that his troops could be returned to the garrison 
at York. At an early hour this forenoon General 
Washington communicated to Lord Cornwall is, the 
general basis of the terms of capitulation, which he 
deemed admissible, and allowed two hours for his 
reply. Commissioners were soon after appointed to 
prepare the particular terms of agreement. The gen- 
tlemen appointed by General Washington, are Colo- 
nel Laurens, one of his aid de camps, and Viscouqt 
Noaille of the French army. They have this day 
held an interview with the two British offtcers on the 
part of Lord Cornwallis, the terms of capitulation are 
settled, and being confirmed by the commanders of 
both armies, the royal troops are to march out to- 
morrow and surrender their arms. It is a circum- 
stance deserving of remark, that Colonel Laurens 
who is stipulating for the surrender of a British 
nobleman, at the head of a royal army, is the son of 
Mr. Henry Laurens, our ambassador to Holland, 



MILITAllY JOURNAL, 1781. 345 

who being captured on his voyage, is now in close 
confinement in the tower of London.* 

l^th. — This is to us a most glorious day, but to the 
English, one of bitter chagrin and disappointment. 
Preparations are now making to receive as captives, 
that vindictive, haughty commander, and that victori- 
ous army, who by their robberies and murders have so 
long been a scourge to our brethren of the southern 
states. Being on horseback, I anticipate a full share 
of satisfaction in viewing the various movements in 
the interesting scene. The stipulated terms of ca- 
pitulation are similar to those granted to General Lin- 
coln at Charleston the last year. The captive troops 
are to march out with shouldered arms, colors cased, 
and drums beating a British or German march, and 
to ground their arms at a place assigned for the 
purpose. The officers are allowed their side arms 
and private property, and the generals and such 
officers as desire it, are to go on parole to England or 
New York. The marines and seamen of the king's 
ships are prisoners of war to the navy of France, and 
the land forces to the United States. All military 
and artillery stores to be delivered up unimpaired. 
The royal prisoners to be sent into the interior of 
Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania in regiments, to 
have rations allowed them equal to the American sol- 
diers, and to have their officers near them. Lord 
Cornwallis to man and despatch the Bonetta sloop of 
war with despatches to Sir Henry Clinton at New 

* Connected with this transaction there is a concurrence of circum- 
stances so peculiarly remarkable, that I cannot omit to notice them in 
this place. Mr. Henry Laurens, who was deputed by Congress as our 
ambassador to Holland, was cai)tured and carried into England, and 
closely and most riicorously confined in the tower of London. Lord 
Cornwallis sustains the office of constable to the tower, of course Mr. 
Laurens is his prisoner. The sou. Colonel John Laurens, stipulates the 
conditions of the surrender of the constable, who becomes our prisoner, 
while Mr. Laurens, the father, remains confined in the tower as a pri- 
soner to the captured constable. Congrei^s had proposed that Mr. Lau- 
rens should be received in exchange for General Burgoyne, but the pro- 
posal was rejected by the British Government. After Cornwallis was 
captured however, he was readily received in exchange for Mr. Laurens. 

44 



346 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

York without being searched, the vessel to be re- 
turned and the hands accounted for. At about 
twelve o'clock, the combined army was arranged and 
drawn up in two lines extending more than a mile 
in length. Tiie Americans were drawn up in a line 
on the right side of the road, and the French occu- 
pied the left. At the head of the former the great 
American commander, mounted on his noble courser, 
took liis station, attended by his aids. At the head 
of the latter was posted the excellent Count Rocham- 
beau and his suite. The French troops, in complete 
uniform, displayed a martial and noble appearance, 
their band of music, of which the timbrel formed a 
part, is a delightful novelty, and produced while 
marching to the ground, a most enchanting effect. 
The Americans though not all in uniform nor their 
dress so neat, yet exhibited an erect soldierly air, 
and every countenance beamed with satisfaction and 
joy. The concourse of spectators from the country 
was prodigious, in point of numbers probably equal 
to the military, but universal silence and order pre- 
vailed. It was about two o'clock when the captive 
army advanced tlirough the line formed for their 
reception. Every eye was prepared to gaze on 
Lord Cornwallis, the object of peculiar interest and 
solicitude ; but he disappointed our anxious expecta- 
tions ; pretending indisposition, he made General 
O'Harra his substitute as the leader of his array. 
This officer was followed by the conquered troops in 
a slow and solemn step, with shouldered arms, colors 
cased and drums beating a British march. Having 
arrived at the head of the line. General O'Harra, 
elegantly mounted, advanced to his Excellency the 
Commander in Chief, taking off his hat, and apolo- 
gized for t!ie non appearance of Earl Cornwallis. 
With his usual dignity and politeness his Excellency 
pointed to Major General Lincoln for directions, 
by whom the British army was conducted into a 
spacious field where it was intended they should 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 347 

ground their arms. The royal troops, while march- 
ing through the line formed by the allied army, ex- 
hibited a decent and neat appearance, as respects 
arms and clothing, for their connnander opened his 
store and directed every soldier to be furnished with 
a new suit complete, prior to the capitulation. But in 
their line of march we remarked a disorderly and 
UHsoldierly conduct, their step was irregular, and their 
ranks frequently broken. But it was in the field 
when they came to the last act of the drama, that the 
spirit and pride of the British soldier was put to the 
severest test, here their mortification could not be 
concealed. Some of the platoon ofiicers appeared 
to be exceedingly chagrined when giving the word 
*^ ground arms^^'^ and I am a witness that they per- 
formed this duty in a very unofficer like manner, 
and that many of the soldiers manifested a sullen 
temper, throwing their arms on the pile with vio- 
lence, as if determined to render them useless. This 
irregularity, however, was checked by the authority 
of General Lincoln. After having grounded their 
arms and divested themselves of their accoutrements, 
the captive troops were conducted back to Yorktown 
and guarded by our troops till they could be removed 
to the place of their destination. The British troops 
that were stationed at Gloucester surrendered at the 
same time, and in the same manner to the command 
of the Duke de Luzerne. This must be a very in- 
teresting and gratifying transaction to General Lin- 
coln, who having himself been obliged to surrender 
an army to a haughty foe the last year, has now 
assigned him the pleasing duty of giving laws to a 
conquered army in return, and of reflecting that the 
terms which were imposed on him are adopted as a 
basis of the surrender in the present instance. It is 
a very gratifying circumstance that every degree of 
harmony, confidence and friendly intercourse subsist- 
ed between the American and French troops during 
the campaign, no contest except an emulous spirit 



348 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

to excel iu exploits and enterprize against the com- 
mon enemy, and a desire to be celebrated in the 
annals of history for an ardent love of great and heroic 
actions. We are not to be surprized that the pride 
of the British officers is humbled on this occasion, as 
they have always entertained an exalted opinion of 
their own military prowess, and afiected to view the 
Americans as a contemptible, undisciplined rabble. 
But there is no display of magnanimity when a great 
commander shrinks from the inevitable misfortunes of 
war, and when it is considered that Lord Cornwallis 
has frequently appeared in splendid triumph at the 
head of his army by which he is almost adored, we 
conceive it incumbent on him cheerfully to partici- 
pate in their misfortunes and degradations, however 
humiliating ; but it is said he gives himself up en- 
tirely to vexation and despair. 

20th. — In the general orders of this day our Com- 
mander in Chief expresses his entire approbation, 
and his warmest thanks to tlie French and American 
officers and soldiers of all descriptions, for the brave 
and honorable part which they have acted during 
the siege. He congratulates the combined army on 
the momentous event which closes the campaign, and 
which crowns their heads with unfading laurels, and 
entitles them to the applause and gratitude of their 
country. Among the general officers whom his Ex- 
cellency particular! y'^noticed, for the important ser- 
vices which they rendered during the siege, are 
Generals Lincoln, de la Fayette, Steuben, Knox, and 
Du Portail, his Excellency Count Rochambeau, and 
several other distinguished French officers. To Gov- 
enor Nelson, of Virginia, he returned his grateful 
and sincere acknowledgments for the essential suc- 
cov<5 afforded by him and the militia under his com- 
mand. The Commander in Chief, wishing that every 
heart should participate in the joy of this memorable 
day, ordered that all those who are under arrest or 
confinement should be immediately pardoned and set 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 349 

at liberty, a circumstance which I believe has never 
before occurred in our army. He closed by order- 
ing that divine service shall be performed in the 
several brigades tomorrow, and recommends that the 
troops attend with a serious deportment, and with 
that sensibility of heart which the recollection of the 
surprizing and particular interposition of Providence 
in our favor claims. 

22d. — Yesterday being Sunday, our brigade of 
infantry, and the York brigade were drawn u]) in 
the field to attend divine service performed by Mr, 
Evans. After offering to the Lord of hosts, the God 
of battles, our grateful homage for the preservation of 
our lives through the dangers of the siege, and for 
the important event with which Divine Providence 
has seen fit to crown our efforts, he preached an ex- 
cellent and appropriate sermon. Generals Lincoln 
and Clinton were present. In the design and execu- 
tion of this successful expedition, our Commander in 
Chief fairly out generalcd Sir Henry Clinton, and 
the whole movement was marked by consummate mili- 
tary address, which reduced the royal general to a 
mortifying dilemma that no skill or enterprize could 
retrieve. A siege of thirteen days, prosecuted with 
unexampled rapidity, has terminated in the capture 
of one of the greatest generals of which the English 
can boast, and a veteran and victorious army which 
has for several months past spread terror and desola- 
tion throughout the southern states. The joy on this 
momentous occasion is universally diffused, and the 
hope entertained that it will arrest the career of a 
cruel warfare, and advance the establishment of Ame- 
rican Independence. In the progress of the royal 
army through the state of Virginia the preceding 
summer, they practised the most abominable enor- 
mities, plundering negroes and horses from almost 
every plantation, and reducing the" country to ruin. 
Among the prodigious assemblage of spectators at 
the time of surrender, were a number of planters 



350 MILITARY JOURNAL^ 1781. 

searching for the property which had been thus 
purloined from their estates. The famous Colonel 
Tarleton, mounted on a horse remarkable for elegance 
and noble appearance, while riding in company with 
several French oflicers with whom lie was to dine, 
was met by a gentleman, who instantly recognized 
the animal as his own property. Tarleton was stop- 
ped, and the horse peremptorily demanded ; observ- 
ing a little hesitation, the British General O'Harra, 
who was present, said, ^* you had better give him his 
horse, Tarleton," on which the colonel dismounted 
and delivered the horse to the original proprietor ; 
after which, being remounted on a very miserable 
animal, he rejoined his company, and the French 
officers were greatly surprized that he should be so 
humbly mounted. The British prisoners were all 
sent off yesterday, conducted by a party of militia 
on their way to the interior of Virginia and Mary- 
land. I have this day visited the town of York, to 
witness the destructive effects of the siege. It con- 
tains about sixty houses, some of them are elegant, 
many of them are greatly damaged and some totally 
ruined, being shot through in a thousand places and 
honey combed ready to crumble to pieces. Rich fur- 
niture and books were scattered over the ground, 
and the carcases of men and horses half covered 
with earth, exhibited a scene of ruin and horror be- 
yond description. The earth in many places is 
thrown up into mounds by the force of our shells, 
and it is difficult to point to a spot where a man 
could have resorted for safety. 

The loss on the part of the French during the 
siege, was fifty killed and one hundred and twenty 
seven wounded. Americans twenty seven killed 
and seventy three wounded, officers included. Corn- 
wallis' account of his loss during the siege is one 
hundred and fifty six, three hundred and twenty six 
wounded, and seventy missing, probably deserted, 
total five hundred and fifty two. The whole num- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 351 

ber surrendered by capitulation, seven thousand two 
hundred and forty seven.* The amount of artillery 
and military stores, provisions, &c. is very considera- 
ble, seventy live brass and one hundred and sixty nine 
iron cannon, seven thousand seven hundred ninety 
four muskets; regimental standards, German eighteen, 
British ten. From the military chest we received 
two thousand one hundred and thirteen pounds six 
shillings sterling. 

Lord Cornwallis is a very distinguished warrior, 
he possesses an exalted spirit, is brave and intre- 
pid, and never w^as tliere a more zealous champion 
of his tyrannical master ; austere and rigorous in his 
temper, nothing could be more foreign from his 
heart than the sympathies of benevolence or generous 
compassion. Had all the rebels in the states but one 
neck, his Lordship would glory in nothing more 
than an opportunity of sever iiig the jugular vein. 
But Cornwallis has fallen ! and our country is not 
subjugated, t 

It is proper I should take a retrospect of some 
events which have marked the conduct of the war 
of extermination in the southern states. A singular 
kind of ferocious animosity has subsisted between the 
two contending parties, as may be seen by letters 
from General Greene on the subject. "The ani- 
mosity,'^ says this amiable man, '^ between the whigs 

* Another list which has been published, makes their total loss by 
death and capture to be eleven thousand eight hundred, including two 
thousand sailors, one thousand eight hundred negroes, one thousand 
five hundred tories, eighty vessels large and small. 

+ It is asserted in Gordon's History of the War, that wherever the 
army of Lord Cornwallis marched, the dwelling houses were plundered 
of every thing that could be carried off. Hundreds of eye witnesses 
can prove that his Lordship's table was served with plate thus pi]la2;ed 
from private families. By an estimate made at the time, on the best 
information that could be collected, the state of Virginia lost during 
Cornwallis' attempts to reduce it, thirty thousand slaves. And it has 
been computed that one thousand four hundred widows were made by 
the ravaging hand of war in the single district of Ninety Six. The 
whole devastations occasioned by the British army, during.the six months 
previous to their surrender at Yorktown, are supposed to amount to 
about three millions sterling. 



352 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

and tories of this state renders their situation truly 
deplorable. Not a day passes but there are more 
or less who fall a sacrifice to this savage disposition. 
The whigs seem determined to extirpate the tories, 
and the tories the whigs. Some thousands have 
fallen in this way in this quarter, and the evil rages 
with more violence than ever. If a stop cannot be 
soon put to these massacres the country will be de- 
populated in a few months more, as neither whig 
nor tory can live." Speaking of a certain party on 
our side, he says, ''• this party plunders without 
mercy, and murders the defenceless people just as 
private pique, prejudice or personal resentments dic- 
tate. Principles of humanity as well as policy, re- 
quire that proper measures should be immediately 
taken to restrain these abuses, heal differences and 
unite the people as much as possible. No violence 
should be offered to any of the inhabitants unless 
found in arms. The idea of exterminating the tories 
is no less barbarous than impolitic.'^ Such is the in- 
fernal spirit of revenge and bitterness which has 
caused mutual destruction and vvretchedness among 
the people. But however atrocious may have been 
the conduct of some unauthorized partizans on the 
part of the Americans, the following instance of in- 
humanity, in the sacrifice of one of the victims of 
their malicious resentment, is sufficient to stigmatize 
the British character with eternal infamy. Lord 
Rawdon and Lieutenant Colonel Balfour, have per- 
petrated an act which in all its distressing circum- 
stances surpasses in enormity and wickedness, all 
others which have come to our knowledge, and which 
has roused the indignant spirit of every true Ame- 
rican to a pitch of desperation. "• Colonel Isaac 
Hayne, during the siege of Charleston, served his 
country as an ofiicer of militia. After the capitula- 
tion no alternative was left but to abandon his family 
and property, or to surrender to the conquerors. 
The small pox was near his plantation, and he had 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 353 

a wife, six small children, and more than one hun- 
dred negroes, all liable to the disease. He con- 
chided that instead of waiting to be captured, it would 
be both more safe and more honorable to go within 
the British lines, and surrender himself a voluntary 
prisoner. He therefore repaired to Charleston, and 
offered to bind himself by the honor of an American 
officer, to do nothing prejudicial to the British in- 
terest till he should be exchanged. Reports made 
of his superior abilities and influence, uniformly ex- 
erted in the American cause, operated with the con- 
querors to refuse him a parole, though they were 
daily accustomed to grant this indulgence to other 
inhabitants. He was told, that he must either be- 
come a British subject, or submit to close confine- 
ment. To be arrested and detained in the capital, 
was not to himself an intolerable evil, but to abandon 
his family both to the ravages of the small pox then 
raging in their neighborhood, and to the insults and 
depredations of the royalists, was too much for the 
tender husband and fond parent. To acknowledge 
himself the subject of a government which he had 
from principle renounced, was repugnant to his feel- 
ings ; but, without this, he was cut off from every 
prospect of a return to his family. In this embar- 
rassing situation, he waited on Dr. Ramsay, with a 
declaration to the following effect. ^^ If the British 
would grant me the indulgence which we in the day 
of our power gave to their adherents, of removing 
my family and property, I would seek an asylum in 
the remotest corner of the United States, rather than 
submit to their government ; but, as they allow no 
other alternative than submission or confinement in 
the capital, at a distance from my wife and family, 
at a time when they are in the most pressing need 
of my presence and support, I must for the present 
yield to the demands of the conquerors. I request 
you to bear in mind, that previous to my taking this 
step, I declare that it is contrary to my inclination, 
45 



354 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

and forced on me by hard necessity. I never will 
bear arms against my country. My new masters can 
require no service of me, but what is enjoined by 
the old militia law of the province, which substitutes 
a fine in lieu of personal service. This I will pay 
as the price of my protection. If my conduct should 
be censured by my countrymen, i beg that you would 
remember this conversation, and bear witness for me, 
that i do not mean to desert the cause of America." 
In this state of perplexity, Colonel Hayne sub- 
scribed a declaration of his allegiance to the king of 
Great Britain ; but not without expressly objecting 
to the clause which required him with his arms to 
support the royal government. The commandant 
of the garrison, Brigadier General Patterson and 
James Simpson, Esquire, intendant of the British 
police, assured him that this would never be requir- 
ed ; and added further, that when the regular forces 
could not defend the country without the aid of its in- 
habitants, it would be high time for the royal army to 
quit it. Having submitted to the royal government, 
he was permitted to return to his family. Notwith- 
standing what had passed at the time of his submis- 
sion, he was repeatedly called on to take arms against 
his countrymen, and finally threatened with close 
confinement in case of a further refusal. This he 
considered as a breach of contract, and it being no 
longer in the power of the British to give him that 
protection which was to be the compensation of his 
allegiance, he viewed himself as released from all 
engagements to their commanders. The inhabitants 
of his neighborhood, who had also revolted, petition- 
ed General Pickens to appoint him to the command 
of their regiment, which was done, and the appoint- 
ment accepted. Hayne fell into their hands. He 
was carried to the capital, and confined in the pro- 
vost prison, for having resumed his arms after ac- 
cepting British protection. At first he was promis- 
ed a trial, and had counsel prepared to justify his 



MILITARY JOUKNAL, 1781. 355 

conduct by the laws of nations and usages of war, 
but this was finally refused, and he was ordered for 
execution by Lord Rawdon and Lieutenant Colonel 
Balfour. The royal Lieutenant Governor Bull, and 
a great number of inhabitants, both royalists and 
Americans, interceded for his life. The ladies of 
Charleston generally signed a petition in his behalf, 
in which was introduced every delicate sentiment 
that was likely to operate on the gallantry of officers 
or the humanity of men. His children, accompanied 
by some near relations, the mother had died of the 
small pox, were presented on their bended knees*as 
humble suitors for their father's life. Such powerful 
intercessions were made in his favor, as touched many 
an unfeeling henrt and drew tears from many a hard 
eye ; but Lord Ravvdon and Balfour continued firm 
in their determination. 

The colonel was repeatedly visited by his friends, 
and conversed on various subjects with a becoming 
fortitude. He particularly lamented that, on prin- 
ciples of retaliation, his execution would probably be 
an introduction to the shedding of much innocent 
blood. He requested those in whom the supreme 
power was vested, to accommodate the mode of his 
death to his feelings as an officer ; but this v/as refus- 
ed. On the last evening of his life he told a friend 
that he was no more alarmed at the thoughts of death, 
than at any other occurrence which was necessary 
and unavoidable. 

On receiving his summons on the morning of 
August the 4th, to proceed to the place of execu- 
tion, he delivered to his eldest son, a youth of about 
thirteen years of age, several papers relative to his 
case, and said — ^' Present these papers to Mrs. Ed- 
wards, with my request that she should forward them 
to her brother in Congress. You will next repair to 
the place of execution, receive my body, and see it de- 
cently interred among my forefathers.'' They took 
a final leave. The colonel's arms were pinioned, 



356 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

and a guard placed round his person. The proces- 
sion began from the Exchange in the forenoon. The 
streets were crowded with thousands of anxious spec- 
tators. He walked to the place of execution with 
such decent firmness, composure and dignity, as to 
awaken the compassion of many, and command respect 
from all. When the city barrier was past and the 
instrument of his catastrophe appeared in full view, 
a faithful friend by his side observed to him, that he 
hoped he would exhibit an example of the manner 
in which an American can die. He answered with 
the utmost tranquillity — " I will endeavor to do so." 
He ascended the cart with a firm step and serene 
aspect. He inquired of the executioner, who was 
making an attempt to get up to pull the cap over his 
eyes, what he wanted. On being informed, the colo- 
nel replied — ^' I will save you the trouble," and 
pulled the cap over himself. He was afterw^ards 
asked, whether he wished to say any thing, to which 
he answered — ^" I will only take leave of my friends, 
and be ready." He then affectionately shook hands 
with three gentlemen, recommending his children to 
their care, and gave the signal for the cart to move. 
Thus fell Colonel Isaac Hayne in the bloom of life, 
furnishing that example in death, which extorted a 
confession from his enemies, that though he did not 
die in a good cause, he must at least have acted from 
a persuasion of its being so.* 

* The tragical story of Colonel Hayne, is not complete withont add- 
ing from a recent publication by Alexander Garden, Esq. the following 
particulars. " Irregularities in the mode of conducting the war, in the 
highest degree disgraceful to the American cause, had frequently oc- 
curred. No man lamented them with greater sincerity than Colonel 
Hayne, for none more anxiously wished the American character to be 
free from reproach. Soon, then, as solicited by his neighbors, and the 
inhabitants generally of the district, to resume a hostile position, to 
become their leider, and direct their operations against the enemy, he 
made an honorable and open declaration : " that he could only be in- 
duced to comply with their wishes, by obtaining a solemn promise from 
all who were to serve under him, that an immediate stop should be put to 
every unnecessary severity ; a desideratimi the moie to be insisted on, 
as he was resolved that exemplary punishment should be inflicted on 
every individual who should indulge in pillage, or in committing any 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 357 

The execution of the worthy Colonel Hayne, is 
universally reprobated as an act of barbarity, justified 
neither by civil nor military law, aud as an unexam- 
pled outrage on the principles of morality and chris- 
tian benevolence ; but in the view of the British com- 
manders, the application of their hackneyed term, 
rebels sanctions a departure from all laws both human 
and divine. In August, 1780, Lord Cornwallis in ad- 
dressing one of his officers, says, ** I have given or- 
ders, that all the iidiabitants of this province who 
had submitted, and who have taken part in its re- 
volt, shall be punished with the greatest rigor — that 
they shall be imprisoned, and their whole property 
taken from them or destroyed. I have ordered in 
the most positive manner, that every militia man, 
who had borne arms with us, and afterwards joined 
the enemy, shall be immediately hanged, and have 
now. Sir, only to desire that you will take the most 
vigorous measures to extinguish the rebellion, and 
that you will obey in the strictest manner, the direc- 
tions given in this letter.'' It is on the authority of 
the order just quoted, that Lord Ravvdon and Colonel 

act of inhumanity against the foe." A copy of the address made to his 
soldiers on this occasion was fonnd on him at the period of his caj)- 
tivity ; but tliough it forcibly expressed his abhorrence of crime, and was 
replete with sentiments that did honor to his humanity, it availed not 
to soften the rigor of persecution, nor in the slightest degree to mitigate 
the severity of the punishment denounced against him. When the 
paper which contained this honorable testimony of generous feeling was 
presented to Major McKenzie, who sat as president of the tril)unaJ 
before which Colonel Hayne was arraigned, he, with great expres- 
sion of sensibility, requested the prisoner "to retain it till he should be 
brought before the court martial that was to determine his fate," 
assuring him " that the present court were only directed to inquire, 
whether or not he acknowledged himielf to be the individual who had 
taken protection." It is unnecessary to add, that this tri.il was never 
granted. Lord Rawdon reached the city from the interior covuifry, 
and at his command, an order for immediate cNecution was issued. 
Little did the sympathy that melted every heart to tenderness — little 
did the pathetic address of the lovely daisghters of th.e soil, calculated 
to move even the bosom of obduracy, avail. Heedless of the prayers 
and solicitations of his afflicted friends atul relatives, deaf to the cries 
of his children, who even with bended knees interceded for mercy, in- 
sensible to the dictates of humanity, his resolution was fixed as ada- 
mant, and a hero was sacrificed." 



358 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

Balfour justify their cruel execution of Colonel Hayne, 
and it will be diflicult to calculate the number of 
miserable wretches who have fallen sacrifices to the 
same relentless spirit; nor are the mandates of Lord 
Rawdon less sanguinary, as will appear by the fol- 
lowing specimen. 

Extract of a letter to Colonel Hugely, commanding 
the British militia, near Camden. 

" If attachment to their sovereign will not move 
the country people to check a crime so disastrous to 
the service, desertion, it must be my care to urge 
them to their duty, as good subjects, by using in- 
variable severity against every one who shall show so 
criminal a neglect of the public interest. If any per- 
son meet a soldier, straggling without a written pass 
beyond the picquets, and shall not do his utmost to 
secure him, or shall not spread an alarm for this pur- 
pose, or if any person shall give shelter to soldiers 
straggling as above mentioned, or shall serve them as 
a guide, or shall furnish them with passes, or any 
other assistance, the persons so offending may assure 
themselves of rigorous punishment, as by whipping, 
imprisonment, or by being sent to serve in the West 
Indies, according as / shall think the degree of crimi- 
nality may require ; for I have ordered that every 
soldier who passes the picquet, shall submit himself 
to be examined, by any militia man who has a sus- 
picion of him. If a soldier, therefore, attempts to 
escape, when ordered by a militia man to stop, he is 
immediately to be fired on as a deserter. I will give 
ten guineas for the head of any deserter belonging 
to the volunteers of Ireland, and five guineas only 
if he be brought alive.'' 

But the strong measures which they pursued to 
crush the rebellion has produced a contrary effect, 
and lighted a flame which rages with tenfold violence, 
and which will eventually afford an essential aid in 
the establishment of our Independence. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 359 

For some months previous to the capture of Corn- 
wallis, and while his army was traversing the states 
of the Carolinas and Virginia, he was opposed by the 
Marquis de la Fayette with an inferior force. His 
Lordship having received a reinforcement, was so 
confident of success against his opponent, that he un- 
guardedly wrote in a letter, which was afterwards 
intercepted, " the boy cannot escape me f^ but he 
was disappointed in his sanguine expectations. Corn- 
wallis at one tim.e formed a plan to surprize the Mar- 
quis while on the same side of James river with him- 
self, but the attempt was prevented by the following 
incident. The Marquis, imapprized of the particu- 
lar situation of his opponent, contrived to send into 
his camp, a spy to obtain intelligence. A soldier 
helonging to New Jersey, by the name of Charles 
Morgan, generally called Charley, agreed to under- 
take this hazardous service ; but insisted that, in case 
he should be discovered and hanged, the Marquis, 
to secure his reputation, should have it inserted in 
the New Jersey paper, that he was employed in the 
service of his commander. Having reached the royal 
camp, he was soon introduced into his Lordship's 
presence, who inquired the reason of his deserting. 
Charley replied, "that he had been in the continental 
service from the beginning, and while under Washing- 
ton he was well satisfied : but being now commanded 
by a Frenchman he was displeased with it and had 
quitted the service." His Lordship commended and 
rewarded him for his conduct, and Charley soon 
commenced the double duty of soldier under the 
English commander, and a spy in the employment of 
the Marquis, without suspicion. Lord Cornwallis, 
while in conversation with several of his officers, in- , 
quired of Charley, how long a time it would take for 
the Marquis to cross James river ? pausing a moment, 
he replied, " three hours, my Lord." His Lordship 
exclaimed, " three hours ! it will take three days." 
" No, my Lord," said Charley, " the Marquis has 



360 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

such a number of boats, and each boat will carry so 
many men ; if you will please to calculate, you will 
find he can pass in three hours." His Lordship turn- 
ing to the oflicers said, ^^ the scheme will not do." 
After having obtained the information required, 
Morgan began to prepare for a return to the Mar- 
quis, and he prevailed with several British soldiers 
to desert with him. When challenged by the senti- 
nels, he artfully tampered with them by giving them 
rum, and while drinking he seized their arms and 
then compelled them to go, and this brave fellow 
actually brought off seven deserters to our camp. On 
his return to head quarters, the Marquis accosted 
him with " well Charley, have you got back ?" 
" Yes, please your Excellency, and have brought 
seven men with me." Having communicated his in- 
formation, the Marquis offered to reward him, but 
he declined receiving money, and when it was pro- 
posed to promote him to a corporal or sergeant, he 
replied, " I have ability to discharge the duties of a 
commom soldier, and my character stands fair, but 
should I be promoted, I may fail, and lose my repu- 
tation." He, however, requested that his destitute 
comrades who came with him, might be furnished 
with shoes and clothing, which was readily granted. 

A warm action took place early in September, 
between General Greene and the main body of the 
royal army, under Colonel Stuart, at Eutaw springs. 
Though inferior in force, General Greene sought the 
enemy and made a furious attack ; the battle became 
general and continued four hours, it was the hottest, 
and the most bloody, for the numbers engaged, that 
General Greene ever witnessed ; many of the officers 
combated sword to sword, and the soldiers rushing 
together, with the point of the bayonet contended 
with increased rage and effort, for life, for blood 
and carnage. A party of the enemy possessed them- 
selves of a three story brick house and a picketed 
garden, which gave them considerable advantage, 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 361 

and saved their army from a total rout. In a charge 
which decided the fate of the day in our favor, Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Campbell, of the Virginia line, who 
with undaunted firmness was leading on his brigade, 
received a mortal wound, and on being informed that 
the enemy were flying in all quarters said, '^ I die 
eontented." Lieutenant Colonel Washington had 
his horse killed under him, was wounded and taken 
prisoner. The American loss is not less than sixty 
commissioned officers killed and wounded, one hun- 
dred and thirty rank and file killed, and three hun- 
dred and forty wounded or missing. The loss on the 
side of the British is supposed to be fully equal in 
point of numbers, excepting in offiicers, and five hun- 
dred men including seventy wounded which were 
left, were the next day made prisoners by our army. 
Victory is claimed by both commanders, but the con- 
sequences have proved most disastrous to the enemy, 
for the next day Colonel Stuart destroyed a large 
quantity of stores, abandoned his position, and leaving 
one thousand stand of arms and seventy wounded 
men, retired in haste towards Charleston. 

'^Ist. — Our troops are now employed in embark- 
ing the artillery and stores on board of transports, 
and we are soon to proceed by water to the head of 
Elk river, on our way to the North river. Dined 
with General Hazen, in company v/ith a number of 
officers both American and French. Here we en- 
joyed a profusion of mutual congratulations on our late 
glorious success, and this was the chief topic of con- 
versation. Lord Cornwallis and his officers since 
their capitulation, have received ail the civilities and 
hospitality which is in the power of their conquerors 
to bestow. General Washington, Count Rocham- 
beau, and other general officers have frequently in- 
vited them to entertainments, and they have express- 
ed their grateful acknowledgments in return. They 
cannot avoid feeling the striking contrast between 
the treatment which they now experience, and that 
46 



362 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

which they have bestowed on our prisoners who have 
unfortunately fallen into their hands. It is a dictate 
of humanity and benevolence after sheathing the 
sword, to relieve and meliorate the condition of the 
vanquished prisoner. 

On one occasion, while in the presence of General 
Washington, Lord Cornwallis was standing with his 
head uncovered, his Excellency said to him politely, 
'^ My Lord, you had better be covered from the 
cold ;" his Lordship applying his hand to his head 
replied, *' it matters not, Sir, what becomes of this 
head now.'- 

JVovemher 3cL — While our soldiers were loading 
a quantity of bombs and shot on board of transports, 
a shell burst, by which one man was unfortunately 
killed and two dangerously wounded. It is much to 
be lamented that these brave men, whose lives have 
been preserved through the dangers of the siege, 
should meet their adverse fate in such a manner. 
Ordei*s are now received for our regiment of infantry 
to embark on board the Diligence, a French frigate of 
thirty two guns, commanded by Captain Cleough- 
naugh, bound up the Chesapeake, to the head of Elk 
river. Major Nathan Rice commands our regi- 
ment. 

December. — We sailed from York river on the 4th 
of November, and in consequence of severe storms 
and contrary winds, our voyage was very unpleasant 
and protracted to sixteen days, which has often been 
performed in three. Captain Cleoughnaugh and his 
officers were very polite and accommodating, we dined 
constantly at the table of the captain, and shared with 
him in his store of wine, &c. It happened unfor- 
tunately tiiat a few days after we left York, four of 
our soldiers were seized with the small pox, and hav- 
ing on board about eighty men who were liable to 
receive the infection, they were with several offtcers 
put on the Virginia shore, to march round by land. 
We disembarked at the head of Elk, on the 20th of 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 363 

November, where we met with our horses, and on 
the 24th, we commenced our march to the highlands, 
near West Point. Passed through Philadelpliia, 
Trenton, Princeton, Bonbrook and Morristown, and 
on the 7th instant, crossed the Hudson at King's ferry. 
On account of the inclemency of the season we have 
suffered exceedingly from cold, wet and fatigue, during 
our long march. But we return in triumph to rejoin 
our respective regiments, and enjoy a constant inter- 
change of congratulations with our friends, on the 
glorious and brilliant success of our expedition which 
closes the campaign. This event reflects the highest 
honor on our combined arms, it will adorn the pages 
of our history, and we fondly hope it will be attended 
with the most favorable consequences, in bringing this 
long, protracted and distressing war to a happy ter- 
mination. It will be to me a source of inexpressible 
satisfaction, that I have had an opportunity of par- 
ticipating in the siege and capture of a British army. 
It is among the blessed privileges and richest incidents 
of my life. I have for several days been afliicted with 
inflammatory rheumatism, attended with excruciating 
pains. Having no other covering than canvass tents, 
and the weather being extremely cold, my sufferings 
have been almost insupportable : but I have much less 
reason to complain than to be grateful to a kind Pro- 
vidence, that I have enjoyed uninterrupted health 
during my seven years of military service. 

Since my return, I am happy to learn that my 
friend Major Trescott, of our regiment, with a de- 
tachment of one hundred men, crossed the sound to 
Long Island on the 3d of October, and completely 
surprized the enemy's fort Slonge, making two cap- 
tains, one lieutenant, and eighteen rank and file pri- 
soners; of the enemy two were killed and two wound- 
ed ; of the Americans one ordy was wounded. Two 
double fortified four pounders were damaged, one 
brass three pounder, with a number of small arms, am- 
munition, clothing, English goods, &c. were brought 



364 MILirAKY JOURNAL, 1781. 

ofF. This enterprize was conducted with much ad- 
dress and gallantry, reflecting great honor on the 
commander and his little party. 

By report from the northern department, the 
British having projected an attack on the frontiers 
of New York state, were advancing towards Albany 
through the settlements oti the Mohawk river, and 
commiting great depredations among the inhabitants. 
The party was commanded by Major Ross, and con- 
sisted of six hundred regular rangers and Indians. 
Having, on the 25th of October, advanced as far as 
Johnstown, they were met by Lieutenant Colonel 
Willet, at the head of a regiment of New York levies, 
and some militia, with about sixty Oneida Indians. 
This officer has frequently given evidence of his 
valor and gallantry, and on this occasion he was no 
less fortunate in his enterprize. Having directed 
Major Rowly, with a body of militia, by a circuitous 
movement, to get into the rear of the enemy, he made 
a vigorous attack in front, and they were soon totally 
defeated and driven into the wilderness. The next 
day a party of our people and Indians followed in 
pursuit till they were worn down by fatigue. It was 
impossible to ascertain the number of the enemy's 
slain, but their loss must have been very considerable. 
Fifty two prisoners were taken and brought in, and 
Major Ross, with the remainder of his party, escaped 
into the barren wilderness, whcie they must have 
suffered extremely for wont of provisions. The loss 
on the side of Colonel Wilict, is one lieutenant and 
twelve rank and file killed, one captain, two lieuten- 
ants, and twenty rank and file wounded. Colonel 
Willet's victory is rendered more important by the 
fall of the notorious Major Butler, who has long, as a 
partizan officer with the savages, been a scourge to 
the frontier inhabitants. He was wounded by one of 
our Indians, and on asking for ({uarters, yes, Che?'?')/ 
Valley qum-te?', said the Indian, and immediately des- 
patched him. He alluded to Butler's having refused 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 365 

Quarter to our people at Cherry Valley, in Novem- 
ber, 1778. 

When Congress received General Washington's 
letter, announcing the surrender of the British army, 
they resolved, that they would at two o'clock, go in 
procession to the Dutch Lutheran Church, and return 
thanks to Almighty God, for crowning the allied 
arms with success, by the surrender of the whole 
British army, under the command of Earl Cornwallis. 
They also issued a proclamation for religiously 
observing throughout the United States the 13th of 
December, as a day of thanksgiving and prayer. 
They resolved, that thanks should be given to Gen- 
eral Washington, Count Rochambeau, Count de Grasse 
and the officers of the different corps, and the men 
under their command, for their services in the reduc- 
tion of Lord Cornwallis. Also, resolved, to erect in 
Yorktown a marble column adorned with emblems 
of the alliance between the United States and his 
Most Christian Majesty, and inscribed with a suc- 
cinct narrative of the surrender of the British army. 
Two stands of colors, taken from the royal troops 
under the capitulation, were presented to General 
Washington in the name of the United States in 
Congress assembled ; and two pieces of field ord- 
nance so taken, were by a resolve of Congress to be 
presented by General Washington to Count Rocham- 
beau, with a short memorandum engraved thereon, 
that ^' Congress were induced to present them from 
considerations of the illustrious part which he bore 
in effecting the surrender." 

The Congress of the United States, the assembly 
and council of the state of Pennsylvania, and a 
number of principal gentlemen of various orders, 
having been invited by the minister of France to be 
present at the praises offered to Heaven in the 
Catholic Church, on occasion of the late glorious 
success of the allied arins, the Mbe Bandole, Almo- 
ner to the Embassy of His Most Christian Majesty^ 



36G MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

ascended the pulpit, and addressed this august 
assembly in the following discourse ; after which 
a Te Deum was sung. 

The occasion :was in this hemisphere singular 
and affecting ; and the discourse itself is so elegant 
and animated in the French, so warm with those sen- 
timents of piety and gratitude to our Divine Benefac; 
tor, in which good men of all countries accord, and 
so evidently dictated by the spirit of that new friend- 
ship and alliance from which such important advan- 
tages have been derived to the rights of America, as 
must give pleasure to every serious and candid friend 
to our glorious cause. 

^'•' Gentlemen,- — A numerous people assembled to 
render thanks to the Almighty for his mercies, is one 
of the most affecting objects, and worthy the attention 
of the Supreme Being. While camps resound with 
triumphal acclamations, while nations rejoice in vic- 
tory and glory, the most honorable ofiice a minister of 
the altar can fdl, is to be the organ by which public 
gratitude is conveyed to the Omnipotent. 

" Those miracles which he once wrought for his 
chosen people, are renewed in our favor; and it 
would be equally ungrateful and impious not to ac- 
knowledge, that the event wliich lately confounded 
our enemies5 ^"^^^ frustrated their designs, was the 
wonderful work of that God who guards your liber- 
ties. 

" And who but he could so combine the circum- 
stances which led to success ? We have seen our 
enemies push forward amid perils almost innumera- 
ble, amid obstacles almost insurmountable, to the spot 
which was designed to witness their disgrace ; yet 
they eagerly sought it, as their theatre of triumph ! 
Blind as they were, they bore hunger, thirst, and 
inclement skies, poured their blood in battle against 
brave republicans, and crossed immense regions to 
confine tliemselves in another Jericho, whose walls 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 367 

were fated to fall before another Joshua. It is he, 
wiiose voice commands the winds, the seas, and the 
seasons, who formed a jnnction on the same day in 
the same hour, between a formidable fleet from the 
south, and an army rushing from the north, like an 
impetuous torrent. Who hut he, in whose hands are 
the hearts of men, could inspire the allied troops 
with the friendship, the confidence, the tenderness of 
brothers ? How is it that two nations, once divided, 
jealous, inimical, and nursed in reciprocal prejudices, 
are now become so closely united, as to form but one? 
Worldlings would say, it is the wisdom, the virtue, 
and moderation of their chiefs, it is a great national 
interest which has performed this prodigy. They 
will say, that to the skill of the generals, to the cou- 
rage of the troops, to the activity of the whole army, 
we must attribute this splendid success. Ah ! they 
are ignorant, that the combining of so many fortunate 
circumstances, is an emanation from the all-perfect 
mind ; that courage, jthat skill, that activity bear the 
sacred impression of him who is divine. 

'^ For how many favors have we not to thank 
him during the course of the present year ? Your 
union, which was at first supported by justice alone, 
has been consolidated by your courage, and the knot 
which ties you together, is become indissoluble, by 
the accession of all the states, and the unanimous 
voice of all the confederates. You present to the 
universe the noble sight of a society, which founded 
in equality and justice, secure to the individuals 
who compose it, the utmost happiness which can be 
derived from human institutions. This advantage, 
which so many other nations have been unable to 
procure, even after ages of efibrts and misery, is 
granted by Divine Providence to the United States ; 
and his adorable decrees have marked the present 
moment for the completion of that memorable happy 
revolution, which has taken place in this extensive 
continent. While your councils were thus acquiring 



368 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1781. 

new energy, rapid and multiplied successes have 
crowned your arms in the southern states. 

"We have seen the unfortunate citizens of these 
states forced from their peaceful abodes ; after a 
long and cruel captivity, old men, women and chil- 
dren thrown, withop.t mercy, into a foreign coun- 
try. Master of their lands and their slaves, amid his 
temporary affluence, a superb victor rejoiced in their 
distresses. But Philadelphia has witnessed their 
patience and fortitude; they have found here another 
home, and though driven from their native soil, they 
have blessed God, that he has delivered them from 
the presence of their enemy, and conducted them 
to a country where every just and feeling man 
has stretched out the helping hand of benevolence. 
Heaven rewards their virtues. These large states 
are at once wrested from the foe. The rapacious 
soldier has been compelled to take refuge behind his 
ramparts, and oppression has vanished like those 
phantoms which are dissipated by the morning ray. 

"On this solemn occasion, we might renew our 
thanks to the God of battles, for the success he has 
granted to the arms of your allies and your friends 
by land and by sea, through the other parts of the 
globe. But let us not recall those events, which too 
clearly prove how much the hearts of our enemies 
have been hardened. Let us prostrate ourselves at 
the altar and implore the God of mercy to suspend 
his vengeance, to spare them in his wrath, to inspire 
them with sentiments of justice and moderation, to 
terminate their obstinacy and error, and to ordain 
that yoar victories be followed by peace and tran- 
quillity. Let us beseech him to continue to shed on 
the councils of the king, your ally, that spirit of wis- 
dom, of justice, and of courage, which has ren- 
dered his reign so glorious. — Let us entreat him to 
maintain in each of the states, that intelligence by 
which the United States are inspired. Let us return 
him thanks that a faction, whose rebellion he has 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 369 

corrected, now deprived of support, is annihilated. 
Let us olFer him j)ure hearts, unsoiled by private 
hatred or public dissention ; and let us, with one 
will and one voice, pour forth to the Lord that hymn 
of praise, by which (Christians celebrate tlieir grati- 
tude and his glory.^' 

January, 1782. — The huts which we now occupy 
were erecfed the last winter by some of the Massachu- 
setts troops, a short distance from the banks of the 
Hudson, and called New Boston, they afford us a very 
convenient and comfortable accommodation. Orders 
having been received for all the troops that have not 
gone thiNJugh the small pox to be inoculated, I com- 
menced this business a few weeks since, and inocu- 
lated about two hundred, including women and chil- 
dren. Their accommodations were not such as their 
circumstances required ; we were unprovided with 
proper articles of diet, and a considerable number 
were seized with putrid fever, which proved fatal in 
several instances. 

March lOth. — A singular incident occurred in the 
sixth regiment to day. Two soldiers were eating 
soup together, and one forbid the other eating any 
more ; as he did not desist, his comrade gave him a 
blow with his fist on the side of his head, on which 
he fell to the ground and instantly expired. On close 
examination, I could discover no bruise or injury 
which could enable me to account satisfactorily for 
his death. 

An unhappy controversy has subsisted for some 
time between Captain H. and Lieutenant S. both 
of the first Massachusetts regiment. Captain H. was 
esteemed a man of modest merit and unexceptionable 
character, he has long commanded a company and 
proved himself brave in the field, and a good dis- 
ciplinarian. Lieutenant S. though a good active 
officer, is assuming, high spirited and values him- 
self on what he deems the principles of honor 
and the gentleman. Having imbibed a strong pre- 
47 



370 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

judice against his captain, and probably calculating 
on promotion, he took unjustifiable liberties, and in 
violation of honor and decency aspersed his character 
with unfounded calumnies. The friends of the 
parties interposed and endeavored to efTect a recon- 
ciliation. S. affected an acquiescence; in consequence 
of which the contention apparently subsided. But 
still retaining in his breast the old grudge, he renew- 
ed his calumnies and was determined to provoke his 
captain to a personal combat ; and though contrary 
to his nature, and to his principles, he was compelled 
to the alternative. Captain H. obtained a furlough, 
visited his friends in Massachusetts, made his will, 
and arranged his worldly affairs. Having returned 
to camp it v/as agreed to meet in the field according 
to the rules of duelling. The tragical result is, that 
Captain PI. received a mortal wound and died in 
three hours after, and S. escaped with a wound in 
his arm. Thus has this imperious young man, to 
gratify a sordid passion, sent into eternity a man 
whom he ouglit to have respected as his superior in 
every point of view — deprived the public of a valu- 
able oflicer, and a wife and three children of a hus- 
band and father. Barbarous and cruel murderer ! 
you have violated the laws of God and man, should 
you escape punishment in this life, what must be 
your doom in the awful day of retribution? The 
friends of Captain H. in Massachusetts manifested 
their abhorrence of this murderous deed, and endea- 
vored by a legal process to bring S. to condign pun- 
ishment. They procured a sheriff in the state of 
New^ York, where the crime was committed, who 
repaired to camp with assistance, took the oppor- 
tunity when the regiment was on parade, and de- 
manded of the colonel that S. should be delivered 
up to the civil authority. The colonel reluctantly 
pointed out the man, the sheriff advanced tow'ards 
him, and S., soldier like, unsheathed his sword and 
stood in defiance. The sheriff, unaccustomed to the 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 371 

sword, was intimidated, and finally retired from the 
field without the prisoner.* 

April 5th. — Having completed the inoculation of 
the soldiers and attended them through the small 
pox, and my professional duty being considerably 
diminished, I have obtained a furlough for forty five 
days to visit my friends in Massachusetts, and shall 
tomorrow commence my journey to Boston, in com- 
pany with my friend. Dr. Eustis. 

May 30fh. — I returned to New Boston last even- 
ing from Boston, having been absent forty four days, 
which is one day short of my furlough ; our journey 
to Boston occupied nine days, being impeded by foul 
weather and bad roads. We were on horseback, at- 
tended by a servant, and took our route through Con- 
necticut and Providence. Here we spent a pleasant 
evening with Lieutenant Governor Bowen, he and 
Dr. Eustis engaged in conversation respecting the pro- 
perties of coffee ; Governor Bowen, asserted, that it is 
a sedative, while the Dr. contended for its stimulant 
effects, and he certainly had the best of the argument. 
Having arrived at Boston, Dr. Eustis kindly intro- 
duced me to his father's family, where I received hos- 
pitable and polite civilities. I proceeded to Plymouth 
and Barnstable, where I had the satisfaction of a family 
interview, after an absence of four years. Great pre- 
parations are making at West Point, to celebrate the 
birth of the young Dauphin of France ; being in alli- 
ance with his Most Christian Majesty, propriety re- 
quires that we should celebrate the joyous event of 
the birth of his first son. His Excellency General 
Washington, has in general orders, given an invita- 
tion to all ofiicers of the army, and they are request- 
ed to invite any friends or acquaintance they may 



* In the year 1786, a regiment was raised in the state of Massachu- 
setts for the purpose of an Indian expedition. Lieutenant S. present- 
ed his pretensions as a candidate for a commission, but notwithstandinjr 
a respectable recommendation from several general officers, the Gov- 
ernor and council rejected tiie application with disdain. 



372 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

have in the country to participate in the grand 
festival. 

On the 6th instant, a dangerous mutiny was dis- 
covered among the soldiers of the Connecticut line. 
It had been conducted with so much address and 
secrecy, that it was on the point of execution before 
it was divulged. The defection was general in the 
line, the soldiers had determined at reveille the next 
morning, to have marched from their cantonments 
with arms, &c. complete, for Fishkill, where they 
intended to take a number of field pieces with am- 
munition and provisions, and proceed to Hartford, 
and there demand of. the Assembly that justice which 
they consider their due. At the moment the officers 
were retiring to bed, a faithful soldier who was a 
waiter, informed his officer, that he could not retire 
to rest without divulging an event which would as- 
suredly take place the next morning at 'day light. 
The most guilty soldiers were immediately seized and 
confined, and the ringleader was sentenced to suffer 
death, which happily frustrated the whole design. 
It is but just to observe, that the Connecticut line 
of troops have during the war, except in this in- 
stance, conducted in a very exemplary and merito- 
rious manner. 

June 1st. — Yesterday was celebrated the birth of 
the Dauphin of France, by a magnificent festival. 
The edifice under which the company assembled and 
partook of tiie entertainment, was erected on the 
plain at West Point. The situation was romantic, 
and the occasion novel and interesting. Major Ville- 
franche, an ingenious French engineer, has been em- 
ployed with one thousand men about ten days, in 
constructing the curious edifice. It is composed of 
the simple materials whicli the common trees in this 
vicinity afford. It is about six hundred feet in length 
and thirty feet wide, supported by a grand colonnade 
of one hundred and eighteen pillars, made of the 
trunks of trees. The covering of the roof consists of 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 573 

boughs, or branches of trees curiously interwoven, 
and the same materials form the walls, leaving the 
ends entirely open. On the inside, every pillar was 
encircled with muskets and bayonets bound round in 
a fanciful and handsome manner, ajid the whole in- 
terior was decorated with evergreens, with American 
and French military colors, and a variety of emblems 
and devices, all adjusted in such style as to beautify 
the whole interior of the fabric. This superb struc- 
ture, in symmetry of proportion, neatness of work- 
manship, and elegance of arrangement, has seldom 
perhaps been surpassed on any temporary occasion ; 
it affected the spectators with admiration and plea- 
sure, and reflects much credit on the taste and ability 
of Major Villefranche. Several appropriate mottos 
decorated the grand edifice, pronouncing benedic- 
tions on the Dauphin and happiness to the two allied 
nations. The whole army was paraded on the con- 
tiguous hills on both sides of the river, forming a 
circle of several miles in open view of the public 
edifice, and at the given signal of firing three cannon, 
the regimental olticers all left their commands and 
repaired to the building to partake of the entertain- 
ment which had been prepared by order of the Com- 
mander in Chief. At five o'clock, dinner being on 
the table, his Excellency General Washington, and 
his lady and suite, the principal officers of the army 
and their ladies. Governor Clinton and his lady, and 
a number of respectable characters from the states of 
New York and New Jersey, moved from Major 
General McDougalFs quarters through the line form- 
ed by Colonel Grain's regiment of artillery, to the 
arbor, wliere more than five hundred gentlemen and 
ladies partook of a magnificent festival. A martial 
band charmed our senses with music, while we feast- 
ed our appetites and gazed with admiration on the 
illustrious guests, and the novel spectacle exhibited 
to our view. The cloth being removed, thirteen 
appropriate toasts were drank, each one being an- 



374 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

nounced by the discharge of thirteen cannon and 
accompanied by music. The guests retired from 
the table at seven o'clock, and the regimental oflicers 
repaired to their respective commands. The arbor 
was, in the evening, illuminated by a vast number of 
lights, which being arranged in regular and tasteful 
order, exhibited a scene vieing in brilliancy with the 
starry firmament. The officei's having rejoined their 
regiments, thirteen cannon were again fired as a pre- 
lude to a general feu de joie, which immediately 
succeeded throughout the whole line of the army on 
the surrounding hills, and being three times repeated, 
the mountains resounded and echoed like tremendous 
peals of thunder, and the flashing from thousands of 
fire arms in the darkness of evening, could be com- 
pared only to the most vivid flashes of lightning from 
the clouds. The feu de joie was immediately follow- 
ed by three shouts of acclamation and benediction for 
the Dauphin, by the united voices of the whole 
army on all sides. At half past eleven o'clock, the 
celebration was concluded by the exhibition of fire 
works very ingeniously constructed of various figures. 
His Excellency General Washington was unusually 
cheerful. He attended the ball in the evening and 
with a dignified and graceful air, having Mrs. Knox 
for his partner, carried down a dance of twenty couple 
in the arbor on the green grass. 

June 20th. — Dined by invitation with Major Gen- 
eral Howe, at his quarters at Robinson's house, with 
several respectable guests. 

23d. — The officers of our regiment prepared an 
entertainment and invited a respectable party. At 
three o'clock, we repaired to an arbor erected for 
the occasion, under which a long table was spread, 
and a variety of dishes arranged in proper style ; we 
prided ourselves on our camp dinner as being almost 
on a par with that of a country gentleman. A band 
of military music attended, and we finished with toasts 
and songs in social glee. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 375 

July. — Our brigade moved out of huts on the first 
instant, and encamped at Nelson's point, on the bank 
of the Hudson opposite West Point. 

On the 4th, the anniversary of the declaration of 
our Independence was celebrated in camp. The 
whole army was formed on the banks of the Hudson 
on each side of the river. The signal of thirteen 
cannon being given at West Point, the troops dis- 
played and formed in a line, when a general feu de 
joie took place throughout the whole army. 

A most barbarous and horrid transaction of the 
royal refugees a few weeks since, has excited univer- 
sal indignation throughout our army. It is the cruel 
murder of Captain Joshua Huddy, of New Jersey, 
who, being commanding ofiicer of a detachment 
stationed at the blockhouse in Monmouth county, was 
attacked by a party of refugees from New York, on 
Sunday, the 24th March, and after bravely defending 
himself till he had expended his ammunition, was 
taken prisoner and carried into New York. He was 
closely confined till April 8th, when without even 
the form of a trial, he was told that he was ordered 
to be hanged ; accordingly on tb.e 12th, he was car- 
ried over to the New Jersey shore, by a party of 
refugees under the direction of one Captain Lippin- 
cot, and there hung on a tree and left with the fol- 
lowing label affixed on his breast. *- We the refugees, 
having with grief long beheld the cruel murders of 
our brethren, and finding nothing but such measures 
daily carrying into execution — we therefore, deter- 
mine not to suffer without taking vengeance for the 
numerous cruelties ; and thus begin, and I say, may 
those lose their liberty who do not follow on, and 
have made use of Captain Huddy as the first object 
to present to your view ; and further determine to 
hang man for man while there is a refugee existing. 
Up goes Huddy f 07' Philip White.^^ 

The refugees pretend to justify this violent act, by 
asserting that Captain Huddy, some time before, 



376 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

made prisoner of a certain Philip White, of tlieir 
party, and after having maimed him, broke both his 
legs, and tauntingly bid him run. But this is a vile 
falsehood ; it has been fully proved, that Captain 
Huddy was closely confined a prisoner at New York 
at the time and for many days before White was 
taken. A letter dated at Freehold, Monmouth 
county, 15th April last, and published in the Tren- 
ton paper, relates that White was taken the last of 
March, and after tokens of surrendering as a prisoner, 
he took up a musket and killed a son of Colonel Hen- 
drickson ; but being taken by some light horse, and 
while they were conducting him to Freehold, he again 
attempted to make his escape, and being called on 
several times to surrender and continuing to run, when 
leaping into a bog impassable by the horse, he re- 
ceived a stroke on his head with a sword which kill- 
ed him instantly. The above facts were proved by 
affidavits of the persons who were present, and by 
the voluntary testimony of one Aaron, who was taken 
prisoner with the said White. The wanton execu- 
tion of Captain Huddy so exasperated the inhabitants 
of that part of New Jersey, that they presented a 
respectful memorial to General Washington, claiming 
justice for the murder of one of their fellow citizens, 
or retaliation in case justice should be refused. Gen- 
eral Washington, immediately addressed Sir Henry 
Clinton on the subject, and assured him, that unless 
the perpetrators of the murder were delivered up, 
he should be under the painful necessity of retali- 
ating. In the mean time all the general officers, and 
those commanding brigades or regiments, were or- 
dered to assemble at General Heath's quarters, to 
deliberate and decide on the following questions : 
1st. Shall resort be had to retaliation for the murder 
of Captain Huddy ? 2d. On whom shall it be inflict- 
ed? 3d. How shall the victim be designated? In 
order that each officer should be free from all bias 
and uninfluenced by each other, General Washing- 



MILITAliV JOURNAL, 1782. 377 

ton ordered that, without conversing on the questions, 
each one should write his own opinion and address 
the same sealed up to the Commander in Cliief. By 
this method his Excellency obtained the spontaneous 
expression of the feelings of each individual officer, 
and they were unanimously of opinion that retalia- 
tion ought to be resorted to ; that it should be inflict- 
ed on an officer of equal rank with Captain Huddy, 
and that the victim be designated by lot. Accord- 
ingly the painful alternative was adopted, the names 
of the British captains, our prisoners, were collected, 
a fair and impartial lot was drawn, and it fell on 
Captain Asgill, of the British guards, a gentleman of 
a noble English family, an only son of his parents, 
and only nineteen years of age, to be the unhappy 
victim. Next to the execution of Major Andre, this 
event occasioned the most painful sensations to the 
mind of the benevolent and humane Washington ; 
his anxiety and poignant distress it is said were very 
visible. But still firm and inflexible in his determi- 
nation to obtain satisfaction, or pursue a course that 
will tend to deter others from a repetition of crimes 
so derogatory to the laws of humanity, of war, and of 
justice. He addressed Congress on the subject, and 
communicated to that body the New Jersey memorial. 
They unanimously approved of the firm and judicious 
conduct of the Commander in Chief, and assured him 
of their firmest support in his purpose of exemplary 
retaliation. 

General Washington was anxious to alleviate the 
melancholy condition of Captain Asgill as much as 
possible, and directed the officer of his guard to treat 
him with every tender attention and politeness which 
his rank, fortune, and connexions, together with his un- 
fortunate state demanded, that is not inconsistent with 
his perfect security. He ordered also, that Captain 
Ludlow, AsgilPs friend, should be permitted to go 
into New York with such representations as they may 
please to make to Sir Guy Carleton, who has now 
48 



378 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

succeeded Sir Henry Clinton as commander in chief of 
the Britisli army. Captain Asgill in addressing Gen- 
eral Washington, thus expresses himself, ^' I cannot 
conclude this letter without expressing my gratitude 
to your Excellency for ordering Colonel Dayton to 
favor me as much as my situation will admit of, and 
in justice to him I must acknowledge the feeling and 
attentive manner in which these commands have been 
executed." How awful is the condition of this in- 
nocent young gentleman, doomed to suffer an igno- 
minious death for the crime of an infamous miscreant 
who so justly deserves the halter! Dreadful indeed 
must be that suspence when one's life is made to 
poise on a point so acute and delicate that an un- 
certain contingency shall decide the issue. General 
Washington having received information by letter, 
that a court martial was appointed by Sir Henry 
Clinton, even before he received the letter of com- 
plaint, for the trial of Captain Lippincot and his 
abetters in the death of Captain Huddy, waited to 
be apprized of the issue, as Sir Guy Carleton had 
assured him of the fullest satisfaction. At length, 
however, the proceedings of the court martial were 
communicated, and it was finished by the following 
declaration. " The court having considered the evi- 
dence for and against the captain, and it appearing, 
that, though Joshua Huddy was executed without 
proper authority, what the prisoner did, was not the 
effect of malice or ill will, but proceeded from a con- 
viction that it was his duty to obey the orders of the 
board of directors of associated loyalists, and his 
not doubting their having full authority to give such 
orders, the court is of opinion that he is not guilty 
of the murder laid to his charge, and therefore acquit 
him." Never perhaps was there a more complete 
burlesque on all courts of justice ! never a more dis- 
graceful proceeding to exculpate a criminal from 
merited punishment. It appeared in the course of the 
trial that Governor Franklin, president of the board 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 379 

of associated loyalists, gave Lippincot a verbal order 
to hang Captain Huddy without a trial, and without 
a crime alleged against him ! The order is obeyed 
in the most unfeeling manner, yet the perpetrator is 
found not guilty, and therefore acqiutted. Sir Guy 
Carleton requested of General Washington a pass- 
port for chief justice Smith to repair to the Ameri- 
can head quarters in order to lay before the Com- 
mander in Chief the proceedings of the court martial, 
with other documents and explanations wliich he had 
no doubt would be satisfactory. His Excellency de- 
clined an interview with Mr. Smith, ''' as tiie ques- 
tion is purely of a military nature and reducible to 
the single point whether the perpetrator of the wan- 
ton and cruel murder of Huddy is to be given up, 
or a British officer to suffer in his place." But he 
proposed to send Major General Heath to meet a 
British officer of equal rank if agreeable to the Eng- 
lish commander. This was also declined, and it ap- 
pears that both Sir Henry Clinton and Sir Guy 
Carleton, disapproved of the acquittal of Lippincot. 
Sir Guy, in a letter which accompanied the proceed- 
ings of the court, expressed in unequivocal terms to 
General Washington t! at notwithstanding the ac- 
quittal he reprobated the act, and gave assurances of 
prosecuting a further inquiry. Thus stands at present 
this very unfortunate affair, and Captain Asgill re- 
mains in custody to await the final issue. 

In order to avoid breaking the chain of this in- 
teresting narrative, I proceed in anticipation in point 
of time, to the final conclusion of the melancholy 
catastrophe. General Washington on the 19th of 
August, made a representation to Congress respect- 
ing the whole business, for their consideration, and 
soon after directed that Captain Asgill be put on 
his parole at Morristown, till further orders ; and 
he was allowed the indulgence of riding for his 
health and recreation, several miles into the country 
in any direction, even within a few miles of the 



380 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

British lines, accompanied by his friend Major Gor- 
don. 

On the 7th of October, General Washington, in a 
letter to the secretary of war, expressed his private 
opinion, that Captain Asgill ouglit to be liberated 
from his duresse, and be permitted to return to his 
friends in England. SuflTicient time had now elapsed 
since the arrest of Captain Asgill, for the distressing 
intelligence to reach his parents, and to interest the 
attention and solicitude of almost all Europe. The 
father of young Asgill was languishing with mortal 
sickness. Lady Asgill, in the agony of her soul, with 
her family in the deepest distress and sorrow, pros- 
trated themselves at the feet of their king and queen, 
to implore their compassion and assistance. She 
next had recourse to the beneficence of the illustri- 
ous sovereigns of France, through the medium of 
the celebrated Count de Vergennes, though the two 
nations were at war. Her incomparably pathetic 
and eloquent letter could not fail of producing 
the desired effect — it reached the hearts, and in- 
terested the sympathies of those exalted philan- 
thropists to whom it was addressed. A letter was 
immediately despatched from Count de Vergennes to 
General Washington, dated July 27th, and this was 
accompanied by that which the count had received 
from Lady Asgill. " Your Excellency," says the 
count, '^ will not read this letter, Lady Asgill's, 
without being extremely affected. It thus affected 
the king and queen to whom I communicated it. 
The goodness of their majesties' hearts induces them 
to desire that the inquietudes of an unfortunate 
mother may be calmed and her tenderness reassur- 
ed. — There is one consideration, Sir, which though 
not decisive, my have an influence on your resolution. 
Captain Asgill is doubtless your prisoner, but he is 
among those whom the arms of the king contributed 
to put into your hands at Yorktown. — Though this 
circumstance does not operate as a safeguard, it how- 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 381 

ever, justifies the interest I permit myself to take in 
this aifair. — In seeking to deliver Mr. Asgill from 
the fate which threatens him, I am far from engaging 
you to seek another victim ; the pardon to he per- 
fectly satisfactory, must be entire." — Copies of these 
letters being transmitted with one from his Excel- 
lency to Congress, they resolved November 7th, 
that the Commander in Chief be directed to set Cap- 
tain Asgill at liberty. A more grateful duty could 
scarcely be assigned ; it relieved his mind from a 
weight which had long oppressed and preyed on his 
spirits. He immediately transmitted to Captain 
Asgill a copy of the resolve of Congress, accom- 
panied with a passport for him to go into New York, 
and also a letter which closes as follows. " I cannot 
take leave of you, Sir, without assuring you, that 
in whatever light my agency in this unpleasant 
affair may be viewed, I was never influenced through 
the whole of it, by sanguinary motives, but by what 
I conceived to be a sense of my duty, which loudly 
called on me to take measures, however disagreeable, 
to prevent a repetition of those enormities which 
have been the subject of discussion. And that this 
important end is likely to be answered without the 
effusion of the blood of an innocent person is not a 
greater relief to you than it is. 

Sir, to your most obedient humble servant, 

George Washington.* 

* From the " Historical and Literary Memoirs and Anecdotes, select- 
ed from the correspondence of Baron de Griuim and Diderot." 

'•You can well remember the sjeneral interest Sir Asgill in- 
spired, a young officer in the English gnards, who was inade prisoner 
and condemned to death by the Americans in reprisal for the death of 
Captain Huddy, who was hanged by the order of Captain Lippincot. 
'j'he public prints all over Europe, resounded with the unhappy catas- 
trophe, which for eight months impendt-d over the life of this young offi- 
cer. The extreme grief of his mother, tlie sort of delirium whirti clouded 
the mind of his sister at hearing of the dreadful fate which menaced the 
life of her brother, interested every feeling mind in the fate of this un- 
fortunate family. The general curiosity, with regard to the events of 
the war, yielded, if I may so say, to the interest which young Asgill 
inspired, and the first questioD asked of all vessels that arrived from any 



382 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

The tour of duty at Dobb's ferry, having fallen to 
our regiment, we marched from Nelson's point on the 

port in North America, was always an inquiry info the fate of this 
yount; man. It is known that A?gill was thrice conducted to the foot 
of the ';gibbet, and that thrice General Washington, who could not 
bring him?e1f to commit this crime of policy without a great struggle, 
suspended lii= punishment ; his humanity and justice made him hope 
that the English general would deliver over to him the author of the 
crime which Asgill was condemned to expiate. Clinton, either ill 
obeyed, or insensible to the fate of young Asgill, persisted in refusing 
to deliver up the barbarous Lippincot. In vain the king of England, 
at whose feet tliis unfortunate l^-imil^' fell down, had given orders to 
surrender up to the Americans, the author of a crime which dishonored 
the English nation ; George Id. was not obeyed. In vain the United 
States of Holland entreated of the United States of America, the pardon 
of the unhappy Asgill; the gibbet erected in front of his prison, did not 
cease to offer to his eyes those dreadful preparatives more awful than 
death itself. In these circumstances, and almost reduced to despair, 
the mother of the unfortunate victim bethought herself, that the minis- 
ter of a king armed against her own nation, might succeed in obtaining 
that, which was refused to her king. Lady Asgill wroie to the Count 
de Vergennes, a letter, the eloquence of which, independently of orato- 
rical forms, is that of all people and all languages, because it derives its 
power from the first and noblest sentiments of our nature. 

The two memorials which are subjoined, merit being preserved as 
historical monuments. 

Letter from Lady Asgill, to the Comte de Vergennes. 

" Sir, — If tiie politeness of the French court will permit a stranger 
to address it, it caruiot be doubted but that she who tinites in herself 
all the more delicate sensations with which an individual can be pene- 
trated, will be received favorably by a nobleman, who reflects honor 
not only on his nation, but on human nature. The subject on which 
I implore your assistance, is too heart rending to be dwelt on ; most 
probabl3% the public report of it has already reached you ; this re- 
lieves me from the burthen of so mournful a duty. My son, my only 
son, dear to me as he is brave, amiable as he is beloved, only nineteen 
years of age, a prisoner of war, in consequence of the capitulation of 
Yorktown, is at present confined in America as an object of reprisal. — 
Shall the innocent share tiie fate of the guilty ? Figure to yourself. Sir, 
the situation of a family in these circumstances. Surrounded as 1 am 
with objects of distress, bowed down by fear and grief, words are want- 
ing to express what I feel, and to paint stich a scene of misery : my 
husband given over by his physicians some hours before the arrival 
of this news, not in a condition to be informed of it; my daughter at- 
tacked by a fever, accompanied wiih delirium; speaking of her brother 
in tones of wildness, and witliont an interval of reason, unless it be to 
listen to some circumstances wl.ich may console her heart. Let your 
sensibility. Sir, paint to you ra}- profound, my inexpressible misery, and 
plead in my favor ; a word, a word from you, like a voice from Heaven, 
would liberate us from desolation, from the last degree of misfortune. 
I know how far General Washington reveres your character. Tell him 
only that you wish my son restored to liberty, and he will restore him 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 383 

24th, crossed the river at King's ferry, and on the 
25th, encamped near the block house at this place. 

to his desponding: family ; he will restore him to happiness. The virtue 
and courage of my son will Justify this act of clemency. His honor, 
Sir, led fiim to America ; he was born to abundance, to independence, 
and to the happiest prospects. Permit me, once more to entreat the 
interference of your high influence in favor of innocence, and in the 
cause of justice and humatiily. Despatch, t?ir, a letter from France to 
General Washington, and favor me with a copy of it, that it may be 
transmitted from hence. I feel tiie whole weight of the liberlj^ taken 
in presenting this request ; but I feel confident, whether granted or 
not, that you will pity the distress by which it was su;;gested ; j'our 
humanity will drop a tear on my fault, and blot it out forever. 

"May that Heaven whicli 1 implore, grant that you may never need 
the consolation which you have it in your power to bestow on 

Thkresa Ascill." 

Second letter of LaJi/ ^l.igill to the Comle de Vcrgennes, 

*' Sir, — Exhausted by long smTcring, overpowered by an excess of 
onexpected hapt)iness, confined to my bed by weakness and languor, 
bent to the earth by what ! have undergone, my sensibility alone could 
supply me with strength sufficitnt to address you. 

" Condescend, Sir, to accept this feeble effort of my gratitude. It has 
been laid at the feet of the Almighty ; and believe me, it has been pre- 
sented with the same sincerity to you, Sir, and to your illustrious 
sovereigns ; by their august and salutary intervention, as by your own, 
a son is restored to me, to M'hom my own life was attached. I 
have the sweet assurance, that my vows for my protectors are heard by 
Heaven, to whom they are ardently offered, yes. Sir, they will produce 
their effect before the dreadful and last tribunal, where I indulsje in the 
hope, that we shall both ai>pear together; you to receive the recom- 
pense of your virtues; myself, that of my sufferings. I will raise njx' 
voice before that imposing tribunal, 1 will call for those sacred registers, 
in which your humanity will be found recorded. 1 will jjray that bless- 
ings ma}' be showered on your head, on him, who, availing himself of the 
noblest privilege received from God, a privilege no other than divine, 
has changed misery into happiness, has withdrawn the sword from the 
innocent head, and restored the worthiest of sons, to the most tender 
and unfortunate of mothers. 

" Condescend, Sir, to accept this last tribute of gratitude due to your 
virtuous sentiments. Preserve this tribute, and may it go down to your 
posterity as a testimony of your sublime and exemplary beneficence to 
a stranger, whose nation was at war with your own; but these tender 
affections have not been destroyed by war. May this tribute bear 
testimony to my gratitude long after the hand that expresses it, with 
the heart which at tliis moment only vibrates with the vivacity of grate- 
ful sentiments, shall be reduced to dust ; even to the last day of my 
existence, it shall beat but to offer all the respect and all the gratitude 
with which it is penetrated. Thkresa Asgill." 

Remarks. — -The Baron de Grimm has unfortunately been led to make 
an erroneous statement respecting the treatment of Captain Asgill, 
which ought in justice to be corrected. It is difficult to account for 



384 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

This afternoon a flag of truce arrived here from 
New York with despatches for General Washington, 
which were immediately forwarded to him. 

August 5th. — Flags are passing and repassing 
from this post to New York and hack every day, and 
several gentlemen have been permitted to come out 
of that city. By the intelligence which they bring 
corroborating those which we receive from other 
sources, commissioners are sent from the court of 
London to Paris, where they are to meet French and 
American commissioners for the important purpose 
of negotiating a general peace. May God grant 
them success in bringing to America an honorable 
peace and national Independence. A very consider- 
able number of deserters have come out from New- 
York within these few days past. 

^\st. — The army marched from their different 
quarters this morning and encamped at Verplank's 
point in the evening. Part of the troops came 
down the river in boats, which being in motion and 
in regular order on the water, made a most beautiful 
appearance. I shall tomorrow commence a journey 
to Philadelphia, for the purpose of receiving a sum of 
money at the American Bank, for the payment of our 
regiment. 

September 10th. — I returned last evening from 
Philadelphia, where I met my very respectable friends 

Jiis assertion Ihat, " It is known that Asgill was thrice conducted to the 
foot of the gibbet and thrice General Washington, who could not bring 
himself to commit this crime of policy without a great struggle, suspend- 
ed his punishment ;"' and again, " tiie gibbet erected in front of his 
prison, did not cease to offer to bis eyes those dreadful preparatives 
more awful than death itself." I can with the fullest confidence affirm, 
that a gibbet never was erected for Captain Asgill at any period of his 
confinement, and that no preparations whatever were made for his 
execution, except a secure confinement for a short period, during 
which the utmost tenderness and polite civilities were bestowed on 
him, and for these he expressed his grateful acknowledgments in his 
letter to General \\'ashington. It would be preposterous to suppose, 
that the Commander in Chief could act a farcical part by exhibiting the 
machines of death, when it was altogether problematical whether an 
execution would be the final resort, and surely nothing could be less 
characteristic of Washington, than wontonly to torture the feelings of a 
prisoner with the horrors of death. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 385 

Dr. Treat and Dr. Beiiney of the hospital, with 
whom I dined. Drank tea and spent the evening with 
Dr. Andrew Craige our apothecary general. The 
next day dined with Mr. James Lovell lieutenant and 
adjutant of our regiment. Here I had the pleasure 
of being introduced to two celebrated characters, 
Dr. John Jones, of Philadelphia, and the honorable 
Robert Morris, the great American financier. Dr. 
Jones formerly resided in the city of New York, 
where he was " distinguished for his professional 
merit, urbanity of manners, and moral excellence.'^ 
As a surgeon. Dr. Jones is considered at the head of 
the profession in the United States, and his reputa- 
tion has been considerably extended by a valuable 
work entitled, '• Plain re?na}'ks on wounds and 
fractures^'''' which he published in the year 1775 for 
the particular benefit of the surgeons of our army, 
and which has been received with universal approba- 
tion. Mr. Morris stands preeminent as a citizen, mer- 
chant and patriot, and the public are greatly indebt- 
ed to him for his unrivaled efforts as superintendent 
of the financies of the United States, by which the 
public interest has been greatly promoted. I waited 
on Major General Lincoln, secretary at war, to ob- 
tain an order on the Bank for the money, which was 
the object of my visit, but was disappointed, as the 
state of the Bank would not admit of any discount. 
General Lincoln introduced me to Mr. Osgood a 
member of Congress from Massachusetts. 

September 14//i.— The whole army was paraded 
under arms this morning in order to honor his Ex- 
cellency Count Rochambeau on his arrival from the 
southward. The troops were all formed in two lines 
extending from the ferry, where the count crossed, to 
head quarters. A troop of horse met and received 
him at King's ferry, and conducted him through the 
line to General Washington's quarters, where sitting 
on his horse by the side of his Excellency, the whole 
army marched before him and paid the usual salute 
49 



386 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

and honors. Our troops were now in complete uni- 
form and exhibited every mark of soldierly discipline. 
Count Rocharabeau was most highly gratified to per- 
ceive the very great improvement which oar army 
had made in appearance since he last reviewed them, 
and expressed his astonishment at their rapid progress 
in military skill and discipline. He said to General 
Washington " you must have formed an alliance with 
the king of Prussia. These troops are Prussians." 
Several of the principal officers of the French army 
who have seen troops of different European nations, 
have bestowed the highest encomiums and applause 
on our army, and declared that they had seen none 
superior to the Americans. 

16th. — Dined with Major General Howe, with a 
number of officers of our line, and on the 17th dined 
with Baron Steuben in company with Generals Howe, 
Paterson, and a number of French officers. The 
baron is never more happy than when he is manifest- 
ing his generous friendship and benevolence. 

October. — Eight battalions have been selected 
from the army to perform some grand manoeuvres 
and a review. The evolutions and firings were 
performed this day with that regularity and pre- 
cision which does them honor, and which received 
the full approbation of the numerous spectators, and 
of the American and French officers who were pre- 
sent. 

30th. — At reveille on the 26th instant, the left wing 
of our army under the command of General Heath 
decamped from Verplank's point and marched to the 
hi ghlands ; took our lodging in the woods, without 
covering, and were exposed to heavy rain during 
a night and day. Thence we crossed the Hudson 
to West Point, and marched over the mountain called 
Butter hill: passed the night in the open field, and 
the next day reached the ground where we are to 
erect log huts for our winter quarters, near New 
Windsor. 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 387 

Jshvemher lOth. — I attended the funeral of my 
late worthy friend, Ensign Trant. This young gen- 
tleman at the age of eighteen came over from Ireland 
about two years since, and on his arrival in Boston, 
was appointed an ensign in our regiment. Having 
a taste for military life, he had acquired considerable 
reputation as an officer, and was esteemed for his 
amiable temper and disposition, his liberal and gen- 
erous sentiments, and his polite and gentlemanly man- 
ners. He suffered a lingering illness of eight months. 
Renouncing all hope of recovery, he conquered the 
terrors of deatli and acquired a remarkable degree of 
patience and resignation during the last weeks of his 
extreme suffering. His remains were decently in- 
terred in the garrison at West Point, and were fol- 
lowed to the grave by his Excellency General Wash- 
ington, and a very respectable procession. 

A melancholy event has recently been announ- 
ced from South Carolina, Colonel Johti Laurens, a 
man of inestimable value, has been slain in a ren- 
counter with the enemy near Charleston. He was 
the son of Henry Laurens, Esq. late president of 
Congress, and our ambassador to Holland. He had 
been employed on a special mission to France, to 
obtain a loan for the United States, in which he was 
successful. The enemy having detached a party 
into the country to procure provisions. Colonel Lau- 
rens, ever foremost in danger, joined the party of 
continentals as a volunteer, to counteract their object, 
and while advancing on the enemy with great intre- 
pidity, he received a mortal wound. His death is 
universally lamented, more especially at this late 
period, when the contest is supposed to be near a 
termination. No eulogy can exceed the merit of 
this noble and very useful officer. 

A very extraordinary and melancholy event has 
recently been announced from England. The ship 
called the Royal George, of one hundred and eight 
guns, commanded by admiral Kempenfelt, being 



388 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1782. 

careened on one side to receive some necessary re- 
pairs, was by a sudden gust of wind forced over, and 
her gun ports being open, she instantly filled with 
water, and went to the bottom. The admiral himself 
was writing at his table in the cabin, who with about 
one thousand souls was lost, among them were about 
three hundred women and children. Admiral Kem- 
penfelt was about seventy years of age, and was con- 
sidered, in point of professional knowledge and judg- 
ment, one of tlie first naval oflicers in Europe. A 
victualler along side was swallowed up in the whirl- 
pool occasioned by the sinking of the ship. 

The campaign is now brought to a close, and no 
glorious deeds have been achieved, not a gun has 
been fired between the two armies during the cam- 
paign, and the prospect of peace is so favorable and 
encouraging, that our Congress have passed a resolve 
to discharge a considerable part of the array on the 
1st day of January next. The supernumerary offi- 
cers are to retire on the establishment provided by 
Congress, and are to be entitled to all the emol- 
uments with those who continue in service till peace 
shall be proclaimed. 

December 15(h. — Dined with my friends Drs. 
Townsend, Eustis and Adams, at the hospital, in 
company with Generals Gates and Howe, an-d their 
aids, Dr. Cochran our surgeon general, and several 
other officers. Our entertainment was ample and 
elegant. 

19th. — I partook of another entertainment at Dr. 
Eustis' quarters. New Boston. Our guests were 
General McDougall, and his aids. Colonels Jackson, 
Crane, &c. General Alexander McDougall is the son 
of a Scotchman, whose employment was that of a 
milk man in the city of New York ; and the son was 
sometimes his assistant. The General at an early 
period was distinguished among those who had adopt- 
ed the whig principles, and known to be a zealous 
advocate for freedom. Principle and a sense of duty 



MILITARY JOURNAL, 1783. 389 

led him to the field of contest, and in August, 1776, 
he was by Congress appointed a brigadier general, 
and by his intelligence and active spirit he has acquir- 
ed a reputable standing as a general officer. He 
displays much of the Scotch character, is affable and 
facetious, often indulging in pleasantry, and advert- 
ing to his national peculiarities and family origin ; at 
the close of which he adds, ^^ now gentlemon you 
have got the history of Sawney McDougall the milk 
mon's son." 

2bth. — The time is now approaching when, accord- 
ing to a resolve of Congress, a reduction of the army 
is to take place, and it is optional with me to con- 
tinue till peace is actually proclaimed and our army 
entirely disbanded, or to retire from service on the 
new establishment by which I shall be entitled to 
the same emoluments with those who remain. Hav- 
ing duly deliberated on the subject, I have come to 
the resolution of bidding a final adieu to the scenes 
of military life, and have resigned my commission in 
favor of Dr. Shute. It is with inexpressible reluc- 
tance that I contemplate a separation from numerous 
friends with whom I have so long associated in the 
most harmonious and pleasing intercourse. Engaged 
in the same glorious and honorable cause, encounter- 
ing together the same perils, sufTering unparalleled 
hardships and privations, and participating in the most 
interesting scenes and events, our mutual and cher- 
ished attachments are no less ardent than the ties of 
brotherly affection. Friendship formed under such 
circumstances, and cemented by purity of sentiment, 
must prove as lasting as our days on earth, and we 
shall ever cherish a sincere interest in the welfare of 
the companions of our military career. It will be to 
me a source of infinite satisfaction during the remain- 
der of my days, that I have shared in tlie toils and 
perils of war during seven years and a half, in defence 
of my country and its freedom, and that the mighty 
struggle terminates in peace and the establishment of 



3^0 MILITARY JOURNAL, 1783. 

our national Independence. This momentous event 
should be considered as a rich blessing which Provi- 
dence bestows on us for the benefit of the present 
and many future generations. It is incumbent on me 
to express my unfeigned gratitude to the All Wise 
Author and Preserver of men, that he has been pleas- 
ed to confer on me innumerable blessings, and pre- 
served my life and health during a long period while 
exposed to the greatest hardships and imminent 
perils. 

January Istf 1783. — This day I close my military 
career and quit forever the toils and vicissitudes in- 
cident to the storms of war. To my military com- 
panions I bid a final adieu, and hope to enjoy in future 
the blessings which attend a virtuous course ef do- 
mestic life. I retire with honorable testimonials from 
very respectable authority of my punctuality and 
faithful performance of duty in the various situations 
which I have been called to occupy, and with a heart 
fraught with grateful recollections of the kindness 
and affectionate intercourse which I have experienc- 
ed from my superiors, and from my numerous com- 
panions and associates. While I congratulate my 
country on the momentous event by which we are 
about to be elevated to the rank of an Independent 
Nation, most cordially do I proffer my sympathy for 
the many lives of inestimable value which have been 
sacrificed during this ever memorable contest. 

Note. — As the materials for the remainder of this work were collect- 
ed and arranaied after I returned from the army, I have thought it pro- 
per to change my running title from Military Journal to Revolutionary 
Annals. 



REVOLUTIONAHY ANNALS. 



SOCIETY OF CINCINNATI. 

While contemplating a final separation of the offi- 
cers of the army, the tenderest feelings of the heart 
had their afflicting operations. It was at the sugges- 
tion of General Knox, and with the acquiescence 
of the Commander in Chief, that an expedient was 
devised by which a hope is entertained that their 
long cherished friendship and social intercourse may 
be perpetuated, and that at future periods they may 
annually communicate, and revive a recollection of 
the bonds by which they were connected. It was on 
the 10th day of May, 1783, when the officers held 
their first meeting, at which the Baron Steuben, the 
senior officer, presided, that Major General Knox, 
Brigadier General Hand, Brigadier General Hunt- 
ington and Captain Shaw, were chosen to revise the 
proposals for the institution, and prepare a copy to 
D.P laid before the next meeting, at Baron Steuben's 
quarters, on the 13th, when the plan for establishing 
a society was accepted, and is as follows : 

" It having pleased the Supreme Governor of the 
Universe, in the disposition of human affairs, to cause 
the separation of the Colonies of North America 
from the domination of Great Britain, and after a 
bloody conflict of eight years, to establish them Free, 



392 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

Independent, and Sovereign States, connected by 
alliances, founded on reciprocal advantages, with 
some of the greatest princes and powers of the 
earth. 

" To perpetuate, therefore, as well the remem- 
brance of this vast event, as the mutual friendships 
which have been formed, under the pressure of com- 
mon danger, and in many instances cemented by the 
blood of the parties, the officers of the American 
army do hereby in the most solemn manner, associate, 
constitute and combine themselves into one Society 
of Friends, to endure so long as they shall endure, 
or any of their eldest male posterity, and in failure 
thereof, the collateral branches, who may be judged 
worthy of becoming its supporters and members. 

^^ The officers of the American army having gen- 
erally been taken from the citizens of America, pos- 
sess high veneration for the character of that illustri- 
ous Roman, Lucius Quintius Cincinnatus, and 
being resolved to follow his example, by returning to 
their citizenship, they think they may with propriety 
denominate themselves the 

SOCIETY OF THE CINCINNATI. ' 

•^^ The following principles shall be immutable, and 
form the basis of the Society of the Cincinnati. 

" An incessant attention to preserve inviolate 
those exalted rights and liberties of human nature, 
for which they have fought and bled, and without 
which the high rank of a rational being is a curse 
instead of a blessing. 

" An unalterable determination to promote and 
cherish, between the respective states, that union 
and national honor, so essentially necessary to their 
happiness, and the future dignity of the American 
empire. 

" To render permanent the cordial affection sub- 
sisting among the officei's, this spirit will dictate 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 393 

brotherly kindness in all things, and particularly ex- 
tend to the most substantial acts of beneficence, ac- 
cording to the ability of the society, towards those 
officers and their families, who unfortunately may be 
under the necessity of receiving it. 

^^ The general society will, for the sake of frequent 
communications, be divided into state societies, and 
these again into such districts as shall be directed by 
the state society. 

" The societies of the districts to meet as often as 
shall be agreed on by the state society ; those of the 
state on the 4th day of Jidy, annually, or oftener if 
they shall find it expedient ; and the general society 
on the first Monday in May, annually, so long as they 
shall deem it necessary, and afterwards, at least once 
in every three years. 

^' At each meeting, the principles of the institu- 
tion will be fully considered, and the best measures 
to promote them adopted. 

" The state societies to have a president, vice 
president, secretary, treasurer, and assistant treasurer, 
to be chosen annually by a majority of votes, at the 
state meeting. 

" In order to form funds which niay be respecta- 
ble, and assist the unfortunate, each officer shall de- 
liver to the treasurer of the state society, one month's 
pay, which shall remain forever, to the use of the 
state society ; the interest only of which, if necessary, 
to be appropriated to the relief of the unfortunate. 

^^The society shall have an order, by which its 
members shall be known and distinguished, which 
shall be a medal of gold, of a proper size to receive 
the emblems, and be suspended by a deep blue rib- 
band, two inches wide, edged with white, descrip- 
tive of the union of America and France." 

His Excellency General Washington officiated as 
president of the general society from its institution 
in 1783, till his death, as did Major General B. Lin- 
50 



394 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

coin of tlie society of Massachusetts. Since his de- 
mise in 1810, Governor Brooks has been annually- 
elected president. Some attempts were made at the 
first general meeting in 1784, to alter the constitu- 
tion of the society, in order that the hereditary suc- 
cession of the members should be done away, without 
substituting any means of perpetuating the existence 
of the society. But a majority of the state societies 
did not approve this change, and the institution re- 
mains as it was originally adopted in 1783. The 
society of Massachusetts was incorporated by the 
legislature in the year 1806, and their by-laws pro- 
vide that persons who claim admission as members in 
right of succession to a deceased member shall be the 
oldest male heirs, or collateral branches iK)t under 
twenty one years of age. He must make his appli- 
cation to the standing committee in writing, and will 
be voted in by ballot. 

In December, 1782, the officers of the army 
being apprehensive that they should be disbanded 
before their accounts should be liquidated and the 
engagements of government complied with, resolved 
to memorialize Congress on the subject, and Major 
General McDougall, Colonel Ogden and Colonel 
Brooks, were deputed as a committee to wait on that 
honorable body requesting their attention to the dis- 
tresses under which the army labored, and to solicit 
payment of the money actually due to the army, 
and security for the commutation of half pay, stipu- 
lated by the resolve of October, 1780, for a sum in 
gross, which they conceive would be less objectiona- 
ble than the half pay establishment. Subsequent 
to this proceeding, a report was circulated in camp, 
that Congress did not mean to comply with their re- 
solves respecting half pay, &c. This operated very 
powerfully on the minds of the officers of the army, 
and occasioned them to forward an address to Con- 
gress, in behalf of themselves, and their brethren, 
the soldiers. They asked for a supply of money, to 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 395 

be forwarded immediately to the army, for a settle- 
ment of the accounts of arrearages of pay, and secu- 
rity for what is due ; for a commutation of half for 
full pay for a certain number of years, or for a sum 
in gross, as should be agreed on ; for a settlement 
of accounts, for deficiencies of rations and compensa- 
tions, and of the deficiencies of clothing and compen- 
sations. They conclude their address in these words : 
*^ The pressure of evils and injuries in the course 
of seven long years have made their condition, in 
many instances, wretched ; they therefore entreat 
that Congress, to convince the army, and the world, 
that the Independence of America shall not be placed 
on the ruin of any particular class of citizens, will 
point out a mode for immediate redress; and that 
the disabled officers and soldiers, with the widows 
and orphans of those who have lost or may lose their 
lives in the service of their country, may be included, 
and that some mode be pointed out for the eventual 
payment of those soldiers, who are the subjects of 
the resolution of Congress of the 15th of May, 1778." 
In consequence of this address. Congress passed the 
follov»^ing resolves, namely, 

'' That the superintendent of finance be directed, 
conformably to the measures already taken iTor that 
purpose, so soon as the state of the public finances 
will permit, to make such payment, and in such 
manner as he shall think proper, till the further 
order of Congress. 

" With respect to the second article of the address, 
the settlement of accounts of the arrearages of pay, 
that the several states be called on to complete, with- 
out delay, the settlements with their respective lines 
of the army, up to the first day of August, 1780 ; 
and that the superintendent of finance take such 
measures, as shall appear to him most proper for 
effecting the settlement from this period. That the 
troops of the United States, in common with all 
creditors of the same, have an undoubted right to 



396 REVOLUTIOXARY ANJJALS, 1783. 

expect security, for what shall be found due, and 
Congress will make every effort in their power, to 
obtain from the respective states substantial funds, 
adequate to the object of funding the whole debt of 
the United States, and will enter on an immediate 
and full consideration of the nature of such funds, 
and the most likely mode of obtaining them." 

The remainder of the report of the committee, 
on the subject of the address was referred to a com- 
mittee of five. 

General McDougall and Colonel Ogden in a letter 
to General Knox, made known to the array their suc- 
cess ; and Colonel Brooks returned to camp, to in- 
form them, verbally, of the prospect of commuta- 
tion, or of obtaining an equivalent for half pay, 
which they had proposed in their address. General 
McDougall continued at Congress on the army busi- 
ness, while the impression of the report which occa- 
sioned the address to Congress, however false, remain- 
ed on the minds of some officers ; notwithstanding 
Congress were doing all that the circumstances of 
the states would admit, to relieve and satisfy the 
array. 

March 10th. — In the midst of this perturbed state 
of affairs in camp, and while tlie day of final separa- 
tion was supposed to be near at hand, the following 
anonymous letter, calculated to exasperate the pas- 
sions of the moment, was privately circulated. 

TO THE OFFICERS OF THE ARMY. 

^^ Gentlemen, — A fellow soldier, whose interest 
and affections bind him strongly to you, whose past 
sufferings have been as great, and whose future for- 
tune may be as desperate, as yours — would beg leave 
to address you. 

'^ Age has its claims, and rank is not without its 
pretensions to advise ; but, though unsupported by 
both, he flatters himself, that the plain language of 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 397 

sincerity and experience will neither be unheard nor 
unregarded. 

^' Like many of you he loved private life, and 
left it with regret. He left it, determined to retire 
from the field, with the necessity that called him to 
it, and not till then — not till the enemies of his coun- 
try, the slaves of power, and the hirelings of injustice, 
were compelled to abandon their schemes, and ac- 
knowledge America as terrible in arms, as she had 
been humble in remonstrance. With this object in 
view, he has long shared in your toils and mingled 
in your dangers.— ^He has felt the cold hand of pov- 
erty without a murmur, and has seen the insolence 
of wealth without a sigh. — But, too much under the 
direction of his wishes, and sometimes weak enough 
to mistake desire for opinion, he has till lately — very 
lately, believed in the justice of his country. He 
hoped, that as the clouds of adversity scattered, and 
as the sunshine of peace and better fortune broke in 
on us, the coldness and severity of government would 
relax, and that more than justice, that gratitude 
would blaze forth on those hands which had upheld 
her, in the darkest stages of her passage from im- 
pending servitude to acknowledged Independence. 
But faith has its limits, as well as temper, and there 
are points beyond which neither can be stretched, 
without sinking into cowardice, or plunging into 
credulity. — This, my friends, I conceive to be your 
situation, — hurried to the very edge of both, another 
step would ruin you forever. — To be tame and un- 
provoked when injuries press hard on you, is more 
than weakness ; but to look up for kinder usage, 
without one manly effort of your own, would fix your 
character, and show the world how richly you de- 
serve those chains you broke. To guard against this 
evil, let us take a review of the ground on which 
we now stand, and thence carry our thoughts for- 
ward for a moment, into the unexplored field of ex- 
periment. 



398 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

" After a pursuit of seven long years, the object 
for which we set out is at length brought within our 
reach — yes, my friends, that suffering courage of 
yours was active once, — it has conducted the United 
States of America through a doubtful and bloody 
war. It has placed her in the chair of independency, 
and peace returns again to bless — who? A country 
willing to redress your wrongs, cherish your worth 
and reward your services ? A country courting your 
return to private life, with tears of gratitude, and 
smiles of admiration, longing to divide with you that 
independency which your gallantry has given, and 
those riches which your wounds have preserved ? Is 
this the case ? or is it rather a country that tramples 
on your rights, disdains your cries, and insults your 
distresses ? Have you not more than once suggested 
your wishes, and made known your wants to Con- 
gress ? wants and wishes which gratitude and policy 
should Iiave anticipated rather than evaded ; and 
liave you not lately in the meek language of entreat- 
ing memorials, begged from their justice, what you 
-could no longer expect from their favor ? How have 
you been answered ? Let the letter which you are 
called to consider tomorrow reply. 

" If this then he your treatment, while the swords 
you wear are necessary for the defence of America, 
what have you to expect from peace, when your 
voice shall sink, and your strength dissipate by divi- 
sion ? v/hen those very swords, the instruments and 
companions of your glory, shall be taken from your 
sides, and no remaining mark of military distinction 
be left but your wants, infirmities and scars ? Can 
you then consent to be the only sufferers by this 
revolution, and retiring from the field, grow old in 
poverty, wretchedness and contempt ? Can you con- 
sent to wade through the vile mire of dependency, 
and owe the miseral)le remnant of that life to charity, 
which has hitherto been spent in honor? If you can — 
go — and carry with you the jest of tories and the 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 399 

scorn of whigs — the ridicule, and what is worse, the 
pity of the world. Go, starve, and be forgotten ! 
But if your spirit should revolt at this ; if you have 
sense enough to discover, and spirit enough to op- 
pose tyranny under whatever garb it may assume ; 
whether it be the plain coat of republicanism, or 
the splendid robe of royalty ; if you have not yet 
learned to discriminate between a people and a cause, 
between men and principles — awake ; attend to your 
situation, and redress yourselves. If the present 
moment be lost, every future effort is in vain ; and 
your threats then, will be as empty as your entreaties 
now. 

'' I would advise you, therefore, to come to some 
final opinion on what you can bear, and what you 
will suffer. If your determination be in any pro- 
portion to your wrongs, carry your appeal from the 
justice, to the fears of government. Change the 
milk and water style of your last memorial ; assume a 
bolder tone — decent, but lively, spirited and de- 
termined, and suspect the man who would advise to 
more moderation and longer forbearance. Let two 
or three men who can feel as well as write, be ap- 
pointed to draw up your last remonstrance ; for I 
would no longer give it the suing, soft, unsuccessful 
epithet of memorial. Let it be represented in lan- 
guage that will neither dishonor you by its rudeness, 
nor betray you by its fears, what has laeen promised 
by Congress, and what has been performed — how 
long and how patiently you have suffered — how little 
you have asked, and how much of that little has been 
denied. Tell them, that, though you were the first, 
and would wish to be the last to encounter danger, 
though despair itself can never drive you into dis- 
honor, it may drive you from the field ; that the 
wound often irritated, and never healed, may at 
length become incurable ; and that the slightest mark 
of indignity from Congress now must operate like 
the grave, and part you forever ; that in any politi- 



400 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

cal event, the army has its alternative. If peace, 
that nothing shall separate you from your arms but 
death ; if war, that courting the auspices, and in- 
viting the directions of your illustrious leader, you 
will retire to some unsettled country, smile in your 
turn, and " mock when their fear cometh." But let 
it represent also, that should they comply with the 
request of your late memorial, it would make you 
more happy, and them more respectable. That 
while war should continue, you would follow their 
standard into the field, and when it came to an end 
you would withdraw into the shade of private life, 
and give the world another s\ibject of wonder and 
applause ; an army victorious over its enemies — vic- 
torious over itself." 

Alarmed and distressed with this vile attempt to 
stimulate the army to rash and dangerous proceedings, 
the Commander in Chief noticed in general orders 
the anonymous address with his pointed disapproba- 
tion, and with the view of counteracting its eflects 
requested that the general and field oflicers, and 
one from each company, and a proper representation 
from the staff of the army, would assemble on the 
15th instant, to hear the report of the committee 
deputed by the army to Congress. The next day a 
second anonymous paper from the same pen appear- 
ed as follows. ^^ Till now, the Commander in Chief 
has regarded the steps you have taken for redress 
with good wishes alone ; his ostensible silence has 
authorized your meetings, and his private opinion 
sanctified your claims. Had he disliked the object 
in view, would not the same sense of duty which 
forbade you from meeting on the third day of the 
week, have forbidden you from meeting on the 
seventh ? Is not the same subject held up for your 
discussion ? and has it not passed the seal of office, 
and taken all the solemnity of an order ? this will 
give system to your proceedings, and stability to your 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 401 

resolves. It will ripen speculation into i\ict, and 
while it adds to the unanimity, it cannot possibly 
lessen the independency of your sentiments. It may 
be necessary to add on this subject, thnt, from the 
injunction with which the general orders close, every 
man is at liberty to conclude that the report to be 
made to head quarters is intended for Congress. 
Hence will arise another motive for that energy 
which has been recommended ; for, can you give the 
lie to the pathetic descriptions, and the more alarm- 
ing predictions of our friends."* 

On the 15th instant, the convention of officers 
assembled, and General Gates presided. The Com- 
mander in Chief delivered to them the following very 
interesting and feeling address. 

^^ Gentlemen, — By an anonymous summons an at- 
tempt has been made to convene you together. How 
inconsistent with the rules of propriety, how unmil- 
itary, and how subversive of all order and discipline, 
let the good sense of the army decide. 

^^In the moment of this summons, another anonv- 
mous production was sent into circulation, addressed 
more to the feelings and passions than to the judgment 

*With respect to the author of the Newburj^h anonymous letters, sus- 
picion has ever rested on John Armstrong, who at the time of their 
appearance was a Major in the army, and for ^onie time aid de camp 
to Major General Gates. Though many circumstances conspired to 
fix this suspicion on Major Ariustrong and a few confederates, the real 
fact has never been estabh'shed till recently. In the last number of the 
United Stales Magazine, published in New York, General Armstrong has 
announced himself to be the author of these notorious letters. In justifi- 
cation of his motives he maintains "'that they were written by himself at 
the solicitation of his friends as the chosen organ to express the sentiments 
of the officers of the army, and were only au honest and manly ^ though 
perhaps an indiscreet endeavor to support public credit and do justice 
to a long suffering, patient, and gallant soldiery." In the same publication, 
General Armstrong has thought proper to risk his reputation on the bold 
and unqualified assertion, that the slander propagated and believed for 
half a century, that two distinguished officers of the revolution had 
conspired to put down the Commander in Chief, is an impudent and 
vile falsehood from beginning to end. The young reader who may not 
be apprized of the circumstances on %vhich the evidence of this con- 
spiracy rests, is referred to the biography of Generals Lee, Gates and 
Cpnway, in the Appendix. 

51 



402 KEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

of the army. The author of the piece is entitled to 
much credit for the goodness of his pen ; and I could 
wish he had as much credit for the rectitude of his 
heart ; for, as men see through different optics, and 
are induced by the reflecting faculties of the mind, 
to use different means to attain the same end, the 
author of the address slioidd have had more charity 
than to ^ maik for suspicion the man Vv'ho should re- 
commend moderation and longer forbearance ;' or in 
other words, who should not think as he thinks, and 
act as he advises. But he had another plan in 
view, in which candor and liberality of sentiment, 
regard to justice and love of country, have no part; 
and he was right to insinuate the darkest suspicion 
to effect the blackest design. That the address was 
drawn with great art, and is designed to answer the 
most insidious purposes ; that it is calculated to im- 
press the mind with an idea of premeditated injus- 
tice in the sovereign power of the United States, and 
rouse all those resentments, which must unavoidably 
flow from such a belief; that the secret mover of 
this scheme, whoever he may be, intended to take 
advantage of the passions, while they were warmed 
by the recollection of past distresses, without giving 
time for cool, deliberative thinking, and that com- 
posure of mind which is so necessary to give dignity 
and stability to measures, is rendered too obvious, by 
the mode of conducting the business, to need other 
proof than a reference to the proceedings. 

" Thus much, gentlemen, I have thought it incum- 
bent on me to observe to you to show on what prin- 
ciples I opposed the irregular and hasty meeting 
which was proposed to have been held on Tuesday 
last, and not because I wanted a disposition to give 
you every opportunity, consistently with your own 
honor, and the dignity of the army, to make known 
your grievances. If my conduct heretofore has not 
evinced to you, that I have been a faithful friend to 
the army, my declaration of it at this time would be 



UEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 403 

equally unavailing and improper. But as I was 
among the first who emharked in the cause of our 
common country ; as I have never left your side one 
moment, but when called from you on public duty ; 
as I have been the constant companion and witness of 
your distresses, and not among the last to feel and 
acknoNvledge your merits ; as I have ever considered 
ray own military reputation as inseparably connected 
with that of the army ; as my heart has ever expand- 
ed with joy when I have heard its praises, and my 
indignation has arisen when the mouth of detraction 
has been opened against it ; it can scarcely be sup- 
posed at this last stage of the war, that I am indif- 
ferent to its interests. But how are they to be pro- 
moted ? The way is plain, says the anonymous ad- 
dresser ! *If war continues, remove into the unsettled 
country ; there establish yourselves, and leave an 
ungrateful country to defend itself !' But who are 
they to defend? our wives, our children, our farms 
and other property which we leave behind us? or in 
this state of hostile separation, are we to take the two 
first, the latter cannot be removed, to perish in a 
wilderness, with hunger, cold and nakedness? 

^ If peace takes pkce, never sheath your swords,' 
says he, ^ till you have obtained full and ample jus- 
tice.' This dreadful alternative of either deserting 
our country in the extremest hour of her distress, or 
turning our arms against it, which is the apparent ob- 
ject, unless Congress can be compelled into instant 
compliance, has something so shocking in it, that 
humanity revolts at the idea. My God ! what can 
this writer have in view, by recommending such 
measures? Can he be a friend to the army? Can he 
be a friend to this country ? rather, is he not an 
insidious foe ; some emissary, perhaps, from New 
York, plotting the ruin of both, by sowing the seeds 
of discord and separation between the civil and mili- 
tary powers of the continent? And what a compliment 
does he pay our understandings, when he recom- 



404 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

mends measures, in either alternative, impracticable 
in their nature ? But here, gentlemen, I will drop the 
curtain, because it would be as imprudent in me to 
assign my reasons for tliis opinion, as it would be in- 
sulting to your conception to suppose you stood in 
need of them. A moment's reflection will convince 
every dispassionate mind of the physical impossibility 
of carrying either proposal into execution. There 
might, gentlemen, be an impropriety in my taking 
notice, in this address to you, of an anonymous pro- 
duction ; but the manner in which this performance 
has been introduced to the army ; the effect it was 
intended to have, together with some other circum- 
stances, will amply justify my observations on the ten- 
dency of this writing. 

'^ With respect to the advice given by the author, 
to suspect the man who shall recommend moderate 
measures and longer forbearance, I spurn it, as every 
man who regards that liberty and reveres that justice 
for which we contend, undoubtedly must ; for if men 
are to be precluded from oifering their sentiments 
on a matter v/hich may involve the most serious and 
alarming consequences that can invite the considera- 
tion of mankind, reason is of no use to us. The free- 
dom of speech may be taken away, and dumb and 
silent, we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. I 
cannot in justice to my own belief, and what I have 
great reason to conceive is the intention of Congress, 
conclude this address, without giving it as my de- 
cided opinion, that, that honorable body entertain 
exalted sentiments of the services of the army, and 
from a full conviction of its merits and suflerings, 
will do it complete justice. That their endeavors to 
discover and establish funds for this purpose have 
been unwearied, and will not cease till they have 
succeeded, I have not a doubt. 

^^ But like all other large bodies, where there is a 
variety of difl'erent interests to reconcile, their deter- 
minations are slow. Why then should we distrust 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 405 

them ? and in consequence of this distrust, adopt 
measures which may cast a shade over that glory 
which has been so justly acquired, and tarnish the 
reputation of an army which is celebrated through 
all Europe for its fortitude and patriotism ? And 
for what is this done ? to bring the object we seek 
nearer ? No, most certainly in my opinion, it will cast 
it at a greater distance. For myself, and I take no 
merit in giving the assurance, being induced to it 
from principles of gratitude, veracity, and justice, 
and a grateful sense of the confidence you have ever 
placed in me, a recollection of the cheerful assistance 
and prompt obedience I have experienced from you, 
under every vicissitude of fortune, and the sincere 
aifection I feel for an army I have so long had the 
honor to command, will oblige me to declare in this 
public and solemn manner, that in the attainment of 
complete justice for all your toils and dangers, and 
in the gratification of every wish so far as may be 
done consistently with the great duty I owe my coun- 
try, and those powers we are bound to respect, you 
may freely command my services to the utmost extent 
of my abilities. 

'^ While I give you these assurances, and pledge 
myself in the most unequivocal manner, to exert 
whatever abilities I am possessed of in your favor, 
let me entreat you, gentlemen, on your part, not to 
take any measures, which viewed in the calm light of 
reason, will lessen the dignity, and sully the glory 
you have hitherto maintained. Let me request you 
to rely on the plighted faith of your country, and 
place a full confidence in the purity of the intentions 
of Congress ; that, previous to your dissolution as an 
army, they will cause all your accounts to be fairly 
liquidated as directed in the resolutions which were 
published to you two days ago ; and that they w ill 
adopt the most effectual measures in their power to 
render ample justice to you for your faithful and 
meritorious services. And let me conjure you in the 



406 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

name of our common country; as you value your own 
sacred honor ; as you respect the rights of humanity ; 
and as you regard the military and national cliaracter 
of America ; to express your utmost horror and de- 
testation of the man, who wishes, under any specious 
pretences to overturn the liberties of our country ; 
and who wickedly attempts to open the flood gates 
of civil discord, and deluge our rising empire in 
blood. 

" By thus determining, and thus acting, you will 
pursue the plain and direct road to the attainment of 
your wishes ; you will defeat the insidious designs of 
our enemies, who are compelled to resort from open 
force to secret artifice. You will give one more dis- 
tinguished proof of unexampled patriotism and patient 
virtue, rising superior to the pressure of the most 
complicated sufferings ; and you will, by the dignity 
of your conduct, afford occasion for posterity to say, 
when speaking of the glorious example you have 
exhibited to mankind — -had this day been wanting 
the world had never seen the last stage of perfection 
to which human nature is capable of attaining." 

Having finished his incomparable and very effica- 
cious address, his Excellency withdrew and the con- 
vention unanimously resolved to present him their 
thanks, and that he be assured " that the officers re- 
ciprocate his affectionate expressions with the great- 
est sincerity of which the human heart is capable.'" 
After which, General Knox, Colonel Brooks, and 
Captain Howard were appointed a committee to pre- 
pare resolutions expressive of the business of the con- 
vention, and to report in half an liour. They re- 
ported, and the convention '* Resolved unanimously, 
that, at the commencement of the present war, the 
officers of the American army engaged in the service 
of their country from the purest love and attachment 
to the rights and liberties of human nature ; which 
motives still exist in the highest degree ; and that 
no circumstances of distress or danger shall induce a 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 407 

conduct that may tend to sully the reputation and 
glory which they have acquired, at the price of their 
blood and eight years faithful services. 

" Resolved unanimously, that the army continue 
to have an unshaken confidence in the justice of Con- 
gress and their country, and are fully convinced that 
the representatives of America will not disband or 
disperse the army till their accounts are liquidated, 
the balances accurately ascertained, and adequate 
funds established for payment ; and in this arrange- 
ment, the officers expect that the half pay, or a com- 
mutation for it, should be efficaciously comprehended. 

'^ Resolved unanimously, that his Excellency the 
Commander in Chief, be requested to write to his 
Excellency the President of Congress, earnestly en- 
treating the most speedy decision of that honorable 
body on the subject of our late address, which was 
forwarded by a committee of the army, some of whom 
are waiting on Congress for the result. In the alter- 
native of peace or w'ar, this event would be highly 
satisfactory, and would produce immediate tran- 
quillity in the minds of the army, and prevent any 
further machinations of designing men, to sow dis- 
cord between the civil and military powers of the 
United States. 

" On motion, resolved unanimously, that the offi- 
cers of the American army view with abhorrence, 
and reject with disdain, the infamous propositions 
contained in a late anonymous address to the officers 
of the army, and resent with indignation the secret 
attempts of some unknown persons to collect the offi- 
cers together, in a manner totally subversive of all 
discipline and good order. 

" Resolved unanimously, that the thanks of the 
officers of the army be given to the committee who 
presented to Congress the late address of the army, 
for the wisdom and prudence with which they have 
conducted that business ; and that a copy of the pro- 
ceedings of this day be transmitted by the president 



408 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

to Major General McDougall ; and that he be re- 
quested to continue his solicitations at Congress, till 
the objects of his mission are accomplished." 

The result of the foregoing proceedings was, by 
the Commander in Chief, transmitted to Congress, 
accompanied by an impressive letter, of which the 
following is an extract. " That in the critical and 
perilous moment when the last mentioned communi- 
cation was made, there was the utmost danger that a 
dissolution of the army would have taken place, un- 
less measures similar to those recommended had been 
adopted, will not admit of a doubt. That the adop- 
tion of the resolution granting half pay for life has 
been attended with all the happy consequences I had 
foretold, so far as respected the good of the service, let 
the astonishing contrast between the state of the army 
at this instant, and at the former period determine. 

'^ And that the establishment of funds, and security 
of the payment of all the just demands of the army 
will be the most certain means of preserving the 
national faith and future tranquillity of this extensive 
continent, is my decided opinion. By the preceding 
remarks, it will readily be imagined, that instead of 
retracting and reprehending, from further experi- 
ence and reflection, the mode of compensation so 
strenuously urged in the enclosures, I am more and 
more confirmed in the sentiment, and if in the wrong, 
suffer me to please myself with the grateful delusion. 
For, if, besides the simple payment of their wages, a 
further compensation is not due to the sufferings and 
sacrifices of the offtcers, then have I been mistaken 
indeed. If the whole army have not merited what- 
ever a grateful people can bestow, then have I been 
beguiled by prejudice, and built opinion on the basis 
of error. If this country should not in the event 
perform every thing which has been requested in the 
late memorials to Congress, then will my belief be- 
come vain, and the hope that has been excited void 
of foundation. And if, as has been suggested for the 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 409 

purpose of inflaming their passions, the officers of the 
army are to be the only sufferers by this revolution, 
if, retiring from the field, they are to grow old in 
poverty, wretchedness, and contempt; if they are to 
wade through the vile mire of dependency, and owe 
the miserable remnant of that life to charity, which 
has hitherto been spent in honor, then shall I have 
learned what ingratitude is, then shall I have realized 
a tale which will embitter every moment of my future 
life. But I am under no such apprehensions ; a coun- 
try rescued by their arms from impending ruin, will 
never leave unpaid the debt of gratitude. 

G. Washington." 

March 22d. — Congress at length came to the fol- 
lowing resolutions : 

^' Whereas the officers of the several lines under 
the immediate command of his Excellency General 
Washington, did by their late memorial transmitted, 
represent to Congress, that the half pay granted by 
sundry resolutions was regarded in an unfavorable 
light by the citizens of some of the states, who would 
prefer a compensation for a limited term of years, or 
by a sum in gross, to an establishment for life ; and 
did, on this account, solicit a commutation of their 
half pay for an equivalent, in one of the modes above- 
mentioned, in order to remove all subjects of dissatis- 
faction from the minds of their fellow citizens : And 
whereas Congress are desirous, as well of gratifying 
the reasonable expectations of the officers of the army, 
as of removing all objections which may exist in any 
part of the United States to the principles of the half 
pay establishment, for which the faith of the United 
States has been pledged ; persuaded that these ob- 
jections can only arise from the nature of the com- 
pensation, not from any indisposition to compensate 
those whose services, sacrifices, and sufferings, have so 
justly a title to the approbation and rewards of their 
country : 

52 



410 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

^^ Therefore resolved, that such officers as are now 
in service, and shall continue therein to the end of 
the war, shall be entitled to receive the amount of 
five years full pay in money, or securities on interest 
at six per cent, per annum, as Congress shall find most 
convenient, instead of the half pay promised for life, 
by the resolution of the 21st day of October, 1780, 
the said securities to be such, as shall be given to the 
creditors of the United States. Provided that it be 
at the option of the lines of the respective states, to 
accept or refuse the same. And provided also, that 
their election shall be signified to Congress, through 
the Commander in Chief, from the lines under his 
immediate command within two months ; and through 
the commanding officer of the southern army, from 
those under his command, within six months, from 
the date of this resolution. 

" That the same computation shall extend to the 
corps not belonging to the lines of particular states, 
and who are entitled to half pay for life as aforesaid ; 
the acceptance or refusal to be determined by corps, 
and to be signified in the same manner, and within 
the same time as above mentioned. 

" That all officers belonging to the hospital depart- 
ment, who are entitled to half pay by the resolution 
of the 17th day of January, 1781, may collectively 
agree to accept, or refuse the aforesaid commutation, 
signifying the same through the Commander in Chief, 
within six months from this time. 

" That such officers as have retired at different 
periods, entitled to half pay for life, may, collectively 
in each state, in which they are inhabitants, accept 
or refuse the same ; their acceptation or refusal to be 
signified by agents, authorized for this purpose, with- 
in six months from this period. That with respect 
to such retiring officers, the commutation, if accepted 
by them, shall be in lieu of whatever may be now 
due to them, since the time of their retiring from 
service, as well as of what might hereafter become 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 411 

due, and that as soon as their acceptance shall be 
signified, the superintendent of finance be, and he is 
hereby, directed to take measures for the settlement 
of their accounts accordingly, and to issue to them 
certificates bearing interest at six per cent. 

" That all officers entitled to half pay for life, not 
included in the preceding resolution, may also collec- 
tively agree to accept, or refuse the aforesaid com- 
mutation, signifying the same within six months from 
this time." 

^pril ISth. — The Commander in Chief thus ad- 
dressed the army on the cessation of hostilities : 

" The Commander in Chief orders the cessation of 
hostilities, between the United States of America and 
the King of Great Britain, to be publicly proclaimed 
tomorrow at twelve o'clock, at the New Building; 
and that the proclamation which will be communi- 
cated herewith, be read tomorrow evening, at the 
head of every regiment and corps of the army ; after 
which, the chaplains, with the several brigades, will 
render thanks to Almighty God for all his mercies, 
particularly for his overruling the wrath of man to 
his own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease 
among the nations." 

Though the proclamation before alluded to, ex- 
tends only to the prohibition of hostilities, and not to 
the annunciation of a general peace, yet it must afford 
the most rational and sincere satisfaction to every 
benevolent mind, as it puts a period to a long and 
doubtful contest — stops the eifusion of human blood 
— opens the prospect to a more splendid scene — and, 
like another morning star, promises the approach of 
a brighter day than has hitherto illuminated this 
western hemisphere ! On such a happy day — a day 
which is the harbinger of peace — a day which com- 
pletes the eighth year of the war, it would be in- 
gratitude not to rejoice : it would be insensibility not 
to participate in the general felicity. 



412 REVOLUTlONAUY ANNALS, 1783. 

^^ The Commander in Chief, far from endeavoring 
to stifle the feelings of joy in his own bosom, offers his 
most cordial congratulations on the occasion, to all the 
officers of every denomination — to all the troops of 
the United States in general, and in particular to 
those gallant and persevering men who had resolved 
to defend the rights of their invaded country so long 
as the war should continue ; for these are the men 
who ought to be considered as the pride and boast of 
the American army, and who, crowned with well- 
earned laurels, may soon withdraw from the field of 
glory, to the more tranquil walks of civil life, 

" While the general recollects the almost infinite 
variety of scenes through which we have passed with 
a mixture of pleasure, astonishment, and gratitude — 
while he contemplates the prospects before us with 
rapture, — he cannot help wishing that all the brave 
men, of whatever condition they may be, who have 
shared in the toils and dangers of effecting this glori- 
ous revolution, of rescuing millions from the hand of 
oppression, and of laying the foundation of a great 
empire, might be impressed with a proper idea of the 
dignified part they have been called to act, under 
the smiles of Providence, on the stage of human af- 
fairs ; for happy, thrice happy, shall they be pro- 
nounced hereafter, who have contributed any thing, 
who have performed the meanest office in erecting 
this stupendous /a&Wc of Freedom and Empire, on 
the broad basis of independency ; who have assisted 
in protecting the rights of human nature, and estab- 
lishing an asylum for the poor and oppressed of all 
nations and religions. 

" The glorious task for which we first flew to arms, 
being thus accomplished, — the liberties of our coun- 
try being fully acknowledged and firmly secured, by 
the smiles of Heaven on the purity of our cause, and 
the honest exertions of a feeble people, determined 
to be free, against a powerful nation disposed to op- 
press them ; and the character of those who have 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 413 

persevered through every extremity of hardship, suf- 
fering, and danger, being immortalized by the illus- 
trious appellation of the Patriot Jlrmy^ — nothing now 
remains but for the actors of this mighty scene to 
preserve a perfect, unvarying consistency of charac- 
ter through the very last act ; to close the drama 
with applause ; and to retire from the military thea- 
tre with the same approbation of angels and men, 
which have crowned all their former virtuous ac- 
tions. 

" For this purpose, no disorder or licentiousness 
must be tolerated ; every considerate and well dis- 
posed soldier must remember it will be absolutely 
necessary to wait with patience, till peace shall be 
declared, or Congress shall be enabled to take proper 
measures for the security of the public stores, &c. 
So soon as these arrangements shall be made, the 
general is confident there will be no dflay in dis- 
charging, with every mark of distinction and honor, 
all the men enlisted for the war, who will then have 
faithfully performed their engagements with the pub- 
lic. The general has already interested himself in 
their behalf; and he thinks he need not repeat the 
assurances of his disposition to be useful to them on 
the present, and every other proper occasion. In the 
mean time, he is determined that no military neglects 
or excesses shall go unpunished, while he retains the 
command of the army. 

" The adjutant general will have, such working 
parties detailed to assist in making the preparation 
for a general rejoicing as the chief engineer, with the 
army, shall call for ; and the quarter master general 
will also furnish such materials as he may want. The 
quarter master general will, without delay, procure 
such a number of discharges to be printed as will be 
sufficient for all the men enlisted for the war ; he 
will please to apply to head quarters for the form. 

" An extra ration of liquor to be issued to every 
man tomorrow^ to drink perpetual peace, indepen- 



414 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

dence and happiness to the United States of Ame- 
?nca.'' 

The officers of the army, hy their committee, pre- 
pared the following address to the Commander in 
Chief: 

" Sir, — It is difficult for us to express the regret 
we feel at being obliged again to solicit your Excel- 
lency's attention and patronage. Next to the anguish 
which the prospect of our own wretchedness excites 
in our breasts, is the pain which arises from the 
knowledge of your anxiety on account of those men 
who have been the sharers of your fortunes, and have 
had the honor of being your companions through the 
various vicissitudes of the war. Nothing, therefore, 
but necessity, could induce us to a representation 
which we know must give you concern. 

" Your Excellency has so intimate a knowledge of 
the condition of the army, as to render a particular 
delineation unnecessary. As you have been a wit- 
ness of our sufferings during a war uncommon in its 
nature, and unparalleled in many circumstances at- 
tending it ; so you are now. Sir, no less a witness of 
the unequal burden which has fallen on us, from the 
want of that provision, to which, from our assiduous 
and unremitting services, we conceive we are entitled. 
Having recently expressed our sense of what was 
due to our distress ; having repeated to your Excel- 
lency the confidence we had, that our accounts would 
be liquidated, the balances ascertained, and adequate 
funds provided for payment, previous to our being 
dispersed or disbanded ; having seen with pleasure, 
the approbation which Congress gave our reliance, it 
is with a mixture of astonishment and chagrin that we 
view the late resolve of Congress, by which the sol- 
diers for the war, and a proportionate number of offi- 
cers, are to be furloughed without any one of those 
important objects being accomplished ; and, to com- 
plete the scene of woe, are to be compelled to leave 
the army without the means of defraying the debts we 



t 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 415 

have necessarily incurred in the course of service, or 
even of gratifying those menials in the pittance which 
is their due ; much less to carry with us that support 
and comfort to our families, of which, from our long 
military services they have been deprived. No less 
exposed to the insults of the meanest followers of the 
army, than to the arrests of the sheriff — deprived of 
the ability to assist our families, and without an evi- 
dence that any thing is due to us for our services, 
and consequently without the least prospect of obtain- 
ing credit for even a temporary subsistence, till we 
can get into business, — to what quarter can we look ? 
We take the liberty to say this, Sir, only to your Ex- 
cellency ; and, from the sincerity of our hearts, we 
do it no less from a persuasion of the efficacy of your 
further efforts in our favor, than from the kind as- 
surances you have been pleased to give us of your 
support. 

" To your Excellency, then, we make one appeal, 
and in the most solemn manner, from that abhorrence 
of oppression and injustice which first unsheathed 
our swords ; from the remembrance of the common 
dangers through which we have passed ; and from 
the recollection of those astonishing events, which 
have been effected by our united efforts, — permit us 
to solicit your further aid, and to entreat that the 
order of the 2d instant, founded on the act of Con- 
gress of the 26th of May last, may be suspended or 
varied in its operation, so far as that no officer or sol- 
dier be obliged to receive a furlough till that honor- 
able body can be apprized of the wretched situation 
into which the army must be plunged by a confor- 
mity to it ; that your Excellency will endeavor to 
prevail on Congress, — nay, that on the principles of 
common justice, you will insist that neither officer 
nor soldier be compelled to leave the field till a liqui- 
dation of accounts can be effected, till the balances 
are ascertained, certificates for the sums due, given, 
including the commutation of half pay to the officers 



416 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

and gratuity of eighty dollars to the soldiers ; and 
till a supply of money can be furnished, sufficient to 
carry us from the field of glory, with honor to our- 
selves and credit to our country. We still wish to 
believe, that that country, to which we have been 
so long devoted, will never look with indifference, on 
the distresses of those of her sons, who have so essen- 
tially contributed to the establishment of freedom, 
the security of property, and the rearing of an em- 
pire. 

" In the name and behalf of the erenerals and 
officers commanding regiments and corps, in the can- 
tonment on Hudson's river, 

I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, 
Your Excellency's most obedient servant, 
W. Heath, Major General, President. 
July 5th f 1783." 

To the foregoing address General Washington was 
pleased to make an affectionate reply, in which among 
other things he observes, that as furloughs in all ser- 
vices are considered as a matter of indulgence and 
not of compulsion, — as Congress, he is persuaded, en- 
tertain the best disposition towards the army — and as 
he apprehends in a short time the two principal arti- 
cles of complaint will be removed — he will not hesi- 
tate to comply with the wishes of the army with re- 
spect to furloughs, &c. He cannot but hope, he ob- 
serves, that the notes will soon arrive and that the 
settlement of accounts may be completed in a very 
few days. In the mean time he shall have the honor 
of laying the sentiments of the generals and offi- 
cers before Congress ; they are expressed in so de- 
cent, candid and affecting a manner, that he is cer- 
tain every mark of attention will be paid to them. 
In his letter to the President of Congress enclosing 
the address of the officers, and his answer, his Excel- 
lency observes, " These enclosures will explain the dis- 
tresses which resulted from the measures now carry- 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 417 

ing into execution, in consequence of the resolution 
of the 26th of May ; but the sensibility, occasioned, 
by a parting scene, under such peculiar circumstan- 
ces, will not admit of description ! While I consider 
it a tribute of justice, on this occasion to mention 
the temperate and orderly behavior of the whole 
army, and particularly the accommodating spirit of 
the officers, in arranging themselves to the com- 
mand of the battalions, w hich will be composed of the 
three years' men ; permit me to recall to mind, all 
their former sufferings and merits, and to recommend 
their reasonable request, to the early and favoi^able 
notice of Congress." 

19th. — On the completion of eight years, from the 
memorable battle of Lexington, the proclamation of 
the Congress for a cessation of hostilities, was pub- 
lished at the door of the public building, followed by 
three huzzas, after which, a prayer was offered to the 
Almighty Ruler of the world, by the Reverend 
Mr. Ganno, and an anthem was performed, by voices 
and instruments. 

On the 29th of June, about eighty new levy soldiers 
of the Pennsylvania line, who had been stationed at 
Lancaster, in defiance of their officers, marched to 
Philadelphia, to seek a redress of their supposed 
grievances, from the executive council of the state. 
They proceeded to the barracks in the city, where 
were quartered some othersoldiers, who joined them, 
amounting to about three hundred in the whole. 
The day following, these insurgent troops, with fixed 
bayonets, and drums beating, marched to the state 
house, the seat of Congress, and of the supreme exe- 
cutive council of Pennsylvania. They placed senti- 
nels at every door, sent in a written message to the 
President and council, and threatened to let loose an 
enraged soldiery on them, if they were not gratified 
as to their demands within twenty minutes. Though 
no other insult was offered to Congress, this duresse 
continued about three hours. 
53 



418 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

Congress resolved that the authority of the United 
States had been grossly insulted by the armed sol- 
diers — that their committee confer with the execu- 
tive council, and that in case it should appear to the 
committee, that there is no satisfactory ground for 
expecting adequate exertions, by the state of Penn- 
sylvania for supporting the dignity of the federal 
government, the President on the advice of the com- 
mittee, should summon the members of Congress, to 
meet on Thursday the 26th, at Trenton or Princeton, 
and that the secretary at war, should communicate 
to the Commander in Chief, the state and disposition 
of the mutineers, that he might take immediate mea- 
sures for suppressing them. Congress now found it 
expedient to separate and reassemble at Princeton. 
The Commander in Chief, on receiving information of 
this shameful outrage, instantly detached fifteen hun- 
dred men, under command of Major General Howe, 
to quell the mutiny and punish the most guilty. Be- 
fore his arrival, however, they had dispersed without 
bloodshed. A number were brought to trial, and 
two sentenced to suffer death, and four others to 
receive corporeal punishment. The Commander in 
Chief, on this occasion, addressed the President of 
Congress, in the feeling language which follows. 
" While I suffer the most poignant distress in observ- 
ing that a handful of men, contemptible in numbers, 
and equally so in point of service, if the veteran 
troops from the southward have not been seduced 
by their example, and who are not worthy to be 
called soldiers, should disgrace themselves and their 
country, as the Pennsylvania mutineers have done, 
by insulting the sovereign authority of the United 
States, and that of their own ; I feel an inexpressible 
satisfaction, that even this ^behavior cannot stain the 
name of the American soldiery. It cannot be impu- , 
table to, or reflect dishonor on the army at large, but 
on the contrary, it will, by the striking contrast it 
exhibits, hold up to public view the other troops in 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 419 

the most advantageous point of light. On taking all 
the circumstances into consideration, I cannot suffi- 
ciently express my surprize and indignation, at the 
arrogance, the folly, and the wickedness of the mu- 
tineers ; nor can I sufficiently admire the fidelity, 
the bravery and patriotism, which must forever sig- 
nalize the unsullied character of the other corps of 
our army. For when we consider that these Penn- 
sylvania levies, who have now mutinied, are recruits, 
and soldiers of a day, who have not borne the heat 
and burden of the war, and who can have in reality 
very few hardships to complain of; and when we at 
the same time recollect that those soldiers, who 
have lately been furloughed from this army, are the 
veterans, who have patiently endured hunger, naked- 
ness, and cold ; who have suifered and bled without 
a murmur, and who, with perfect good order, have 
retired to their homes, without a settlement of their 
accounts, or a farthing of money in their pockets; 
we shall be as much astonished at the virtues of the 
latter, as we are struck with horror and detestation 
at the proceedings of the former ; and every candid 
mind, without indulging ill grounded prejudices, 
vi^ill undoubtedly make the proper discrimination. 

On the second of November, 1783, General Wash- 
ington issued his farewell orders to the armies of the 
United States. Having taken notice of the proclama- 
tion of Congress, of October 18th, he said, '^ It only 
remains for the Commander in Chief to address him- 
self once more, and that for the last time, to the 
armies of the United States, however widely dis- 
persed the individuals wko composed them may be, 
and to bid them an affectionate, a long farewell. But 
before the Commander in Chief takes his final leave 
of those he holds most dear, he wishes to indulge 
himself a few moments in calling to mind a slight re- 
view of the past. He will then take the liberty of 
exploring with his military friends their future pros- 
pects, — of advising the general line of conduct, which 



420 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

in his opinion, ought to be pursued, and he will con- 
clude the address by expressing the obligations he 
feels himself under for the spirited and able assistance 
he has experienced from them, in the performance 
of an arduous office. 

"• A contemplation of the complete attainment, at 
a period earlier than could have been expected, of 
the object for which we contended, against so formi- 
dable a power, cannot but inspire us with as- 
tonishment and gratitude. The disadvantageous cir- 
cumstances on our part, under which the war was 
undertaken, can never be forgotten. The signal in- 
terpositions of Providence, in our feeble condition, 
were such as could scarcely escape the attention of 
the most unobserving ; while the unparalleled per- 
severance of the armies of the United States, through 
almost every possible suffering and discouragement, 
for the space of eight long years, was little short of a 
standing miracle.'' His closing words are, ^^ and being 
now to conclude these his last public orders, to take 
his ultimate leave in a short time, of the military char- 
acter and to bid adieu to the armies he has so long 
had the honor to command, he can only again offer in 
their behalf his recommendations to their grateful 
country, and his prayers to the God of armies. May 
ample justice be done them here and may the choicest 
of Heaven's favors both here and hereafter attend 
those, who, under the divine auspices have secured 
innumerable blessings for others ! With these wishes, 
and this benediction, the Commander in Chief is about 
to retire from service. The curtain of separation 
will soon be drawn, and the military scene to himv 
will be closed forever." The definitive treaty of 
peace was signed on the 23d of September, and Con- 
gress, having ratified it, they issued a proclamation 
to disband their army. The proclamation purports, 
••^ that part of the army which stood engaged to serve 
during the war, and by several acts of Congress had 
been furloughed, should be absolutely discharged 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 421 

after the 3d of November from said service, and that 
the further service in the field of the officers derang- 
ed, and on furlough, are now dispensed with, and 
they have permission to retire from service, no more 
to be called to command, &c.'' In their proclama- 
tion Congress give their thanks to the army for their 
exertions in the cause of America, and the common 
rights of mankind. The mode of disbanding the 
army was well calculated to prevent any disorders, 
which might have been the consequence of dismissing 
a large number of men in a body. The advice of 
their beloved Commander in Chief, and the resolves 
of Congress to pay and compensate them in such 
manner as the ability of the United States would 
permit, operated to keep them quiet and prevent 
tumult. Painful indeed was the parting scene, no 
description can be adequate to the tragic exhibition. 
Both officers and soldiers, long unaccustomed to the 
affairs of private life, turned loose on the world to 
starve and to become a prey to vulture speculators. 
Never can that melancholy day be forgotten when 
friends, companions for seven long years in joy, and in 
sorrow, were torn asunder, without the hope of ever 
meeting again, and with prospects of a miserable sub- 
sistence in future. Among other incidents peculiarly 
affecting on this occasion, were the lamentations of 
women and children, earnestly entreating that those 
with whom they had been connected in the character 
of husband and father, would not withdraw from them 
the hand of kindness and protection and leave them 
in despair; but in several instances the reply was, 
no, " we took you as companions during the war, 
and now we are destitute of the means of support, 
and you must provide for yourselves." 

JVovember25th.—^\\Q British army evacuated New 
York, and the American troops under General Knox, 
took possession of the city. Soon after. General Wash- 
ington and Governor Clinton, with their suite, made 
their public entry into the city on horseback, followed 



422 EEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

by the lieutenant governor and the members of coun- 
cil, for the temporary government of the southern 
district, four abreast. General Knox and the officers 
of the army, eight abreast ; citizens on horseback, 
eight abreast — the speaker of the assembly and citi- 
zens on foot, eight abreast. The governor gave a 
public dinner, at which the Commander in Chief, and 
other general officers were present. The arrange- 
ments for the whole business were so well made and 
executed, that the most admirable tranquillity suc- 
ceeded through the day and night. On Monday 
the governor gave an elegant entertainment to the 
French ambassador, the Chevalier de la Luzerne ; Gen- 
eral Washington, the principal officers of New York 
state, and of the army, and upwards of a hundred 
gentlemen w^re present. Magnificent fireworks, 
infinitely exceeding every thing of the kind before 
seen in the United States, were exhibited at the 
Bowling Green in Broadway, on the evening of 
Tuesday, in celebration of the definitive treaty of 
peace. They commenced by a dove descending with 
the olive hranchy and setting fire to a marron battery. 
On Tuesday noon, December 4th, the principal officers 
of the array assembled at Francis' tavern, to take a 
final leave of their much loved Commander in Chief. 
Soon after his Excellency entered the room. His 
emotions were too strong to be concealed. Filling a 
glass, he turned to them and said, " With a heart 
full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. 
I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be 
as prosperous and happy as your former ones have 
been glorious and honorable.*' Having drank, he 
added, '^ I cannot come to each of you to take my 
leave, but sliall be obliged to you, if each of you will 
come and take me by the hand.*' General Knox 
being nearest, turned to him. Incapable of utter- 
ance, Washington, in tearn^ grasped his hand, em- 
braced and kissed him. In the same affectionate 
manner he took leave of each succeeding officer. In 



R EVOLUTION AllY ANNALS, 1783. 423 

every eye was the tear of dignified sensibility ; and 
not a word was articulated to interrupt the eloquent 
silence, and tenderness of the scene. Leaving the 
room, he passed through the corps of light infantry, 
and walked to White Hall, where a barge waited to 
convey him to Paulus' Hook. The whole company 
followed in mute and solemn procession, with deject- 
ed countenances, testifying feelings of delicious me- 
lancholy which no language can describe. Having 
entered the barge he turned to the company, and 
waving his hat, bid them a silent adieu. They paid 
him the same affectionate compliment, and after the 
barge had left them, returned in the same solemn 
manner to the place where they had assembled. The 
passions of human nature were never more tenderly 
agitated than in this interesting and distressful scene." 
General Washington now repaired to Annapolis, 
where Congress were in session, to whom he resigned 
his commission, which eight years before, he had re- 
ceived from this honorable body. On the 23d of 
December, the day appointed for the very interesting 
transaction, a vast concourse of spectators attended. 
The gallery was filled with a group of ladies, and some 
graced the floor of Congress. The governor, coun- 
cil and legislature of Maryland, several general offi- 
cers, the consul general of France, and numerous 
citizens of Annapolis were present. Congress were 
seated and covered, as representatives of the sove- 
reignty of the union ; the spectators were uncovered 
and standing. The general was introduced to a 
chair by the secretary, who, after a decent interval 
ordered silence. A short pause ensued, when the 
honorable Thomas Mifflin, the president, informed 
the general that " the United States in Congress 
assembled were prepared to receive his communica- 
tions." On which he rose with dignity and deliver- 
ed this address. 

^^Mr. President, — The great events on which 
my resignation depended, having at length taken 



424 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

place, I now have the honor of offering my sincere 
congratulations to Congress, and of presenting myself 
before them, to surrender into their hands, the trust 
committed to me, and to claim the indulgence of re- 
tiring from the service of my country. 

^^ Happy in the confirmation of our independence 
and sovereignty, and pleased witli the opportunity 
afforded the United States, of becoming a respectable 
nation, I resign with satisfaction the appointment I 
accepted with diffidence ; a diffidence in my abilities, 
to accomplish so arduous a task, which, however, 
was superseded, by a confidence in the rectitude of 
our cause, the support of the supreme power of the 
union, and the patronage of Heaven. 

" The successful termination of the war has veri- 
fied the most sanguine expectations, — my gratitude 
for the interpositions of Providence, and the assis- 
tance I have received from my countrymen, increase 
with every review of the momentous contest. 

^•^ While I respect my obligations to the army in 
general, I should do injustice to my own feelings, not 
to acknowledge in this place, the peculiar services 
and distinguished merits of the persons, who have 
been attached to my person during the war. It was 
impossible the choice of confidential officers, to com- 
pose my family, should have been more fortunate. 
Permit me, Sir, to recommend in particular, those 
who have continued in the service to the present mo- 
ment, as worthy of the favorable notice and patronage 
of Congress. 

^^ I consider it as an indispensable duty to close 
this last solemn act of my official life, by commend- 
ing the interests of our dearest country, to the pro- 
tection of Almighty God, and those who have the 
superintendence of them to his holy keeping. 

^' Having now finished the work assigned me, I 
retire from the great theatre of action ; and, bidding 
an affectionate farewell to this august body, under 
whose orders I have long acted, 1 here offer my com- 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 425 

mission, and take my leave of all the employments of 
public life." 

This address being ended, General Washington 
advanced and delivered his commission into the 
hands of the President of Congress, who replied as 
follows. 

<*The United States in Congress assembled, re- 
ceive with emotions too affecting for utterance, the 
solemn resignation of the authorities under which 
you have led their troops with success, through a 
perilous and doubtful war. 

'^ Called on by your country to defend its invaded 
rights, you accepted the sacred charge before it had 
formed alliances, and whilst it was without friends 
or a government to support you. 

^^ You have conducted the great military contest 
with wisdom and fortitude, invariably regarding the 
rights of the civil power, through all disasters and 
changes. You have by the love and confidence of 
your fellow citizens, enabled them to display their 
martial genius, and transmit their fame to posterity ; 
you have persevered till these United States, aided 
by a magnanimous king and nation, have been 
enabled under a just Providence, to close the war in 
safety, freedom, and independency ; on which happy 
event, we sincerely join you in congratulations. 

^^ Having defended the standard of liberty in this 
new world ; having taught a lesson useful to those 
who inflict, and to those who feel oppression, you 
retire from the great theatre of action, with the bles- 
sings of your fellow citizens ; but the glory of your 
virtues will not terminate with your military com- 
mand, it will continue to animate remotest ages. We 
feel with you, our obligations to the army in general, 
^nd will particularly charge ourselves, with the 
interest of those confidential ofiScers, who have at- 
tended your person to this affecting moment. 

*^ We join you in commending the interests of our 
dearest country to the protection of Almighty God. 
54 



426 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of 
its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them 
of becoming a happy and respectable nation ; and 
for you we address to Him our earnest prayers, that 
a life so beloved, may be fostered with all his care ; 
that your days may be happy, as they have been 
illustrious, and that he will finally give you that re- 
ward, which this world cannot give." 

It is impossible to conceive th|t greater honor can be 
conferred on any man, than to receive the united ac- 
knowledgments of three millions of people, assembled 
by their representatives, declaring to all the world, 
that he has been the temporal savior of his country ! 
His mind was powerful and enlightened, his devotion 
to his country fervent, his sacrifices great and im- 
portant, and his triumphs noble and splendid ; and 
his memory will be blessed and immortal ! 

It has been estimated, that the loss of lives in the 
various armies of the United States, during the war, 
is not less than seventy thousand. The numbers 
who died on board of the horrid prison ships of the 
enemy, cannot be calculated. It is however confi- 
dently asserted, that no less than eleven thousand 
of our brave soldiers, died on board the one, called 
the Jersey prison ship, only ! This dreadful mor- 
tality is universally attributed, to the cruel treatment, 
which they received while crowded together in 
close confinement. 

The loss to Great Britain, is two large armies 
captured by the United States, exclusively of many 
thousands, killed and taken in various actions, during 
the war; thirteen colonies dismembered from her 
and an increase of her national debt in seven years, 
one hundred and twenty millions. 

The United States have gained that indepen- 
dence and liberty for which they contended, and find 
their debt to be less than forty five millions of dollars, 
which is short of ten millions of pounds sterling ! 
This long, protracted warfare, waged in behalf of 



IIEVOLUTIONARY ANNALS^ 1783, 427 

American freedom, is now triumphantly terminated, 
and a sanctuary sacred to civil and religious liberty 
will be opened in this western hemisphere. 

Extract of a Circular Letter from his Excellency 
George Washington, Commander in Chief of the 
artnies of the United States of Jimerica, to the 
Governors of the several States. 

Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 18, 1783. 

" For my own part, conscious of having acted, 
while a servant of the public, in the manner I con- 
ceived best suited to promote the real interests of ray 
country ; having in consequence of my fixed belief, 
in some measure pledged myself to the army, that 
their country would finally do them complete and 
ample justice, and not willing to conceal any instance 
of my official conduct from the eyes of the world, I 
have thought proper to transmit to your Excellency 
the enclosed collection of papers, relative to the half 
pay and commutation granted by Congress to the 
officers of the army. 

^' From these communications, my decided senti- 
ment will be clearly comprehended, together with 
the conclusive reasons which induced me at an early 
period, to recommend the adoption of this measure 
in the most earnest and serious manner. As the pro- 
ceedings of Congress, the army, and myself are open to 
all, and contain, in my opinion, sufficient information 
to remove the prejudice and errors which may have 
been entertained by any, I think it unnecessary to 
say any thing more, than just to observe, that the 
resolutions of Congress, now alluded to, are as un- 
doubtedly and absolutely binding on the United 
States, as the most solemn acts of confederation or 
legislation. 

''^ As to the idea, which I am informed has in some 
instances prevailed, that the half pay and commuta- 
tion are to be regarded merely in the odious light of a 
pension, it ought to be exploded forever : That pro- 



428 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

vision should be viewed as it really was, a reasonable 
compensation offered by Congress, at a time when 
they had nothing else to give, to officers of the army 
for services then to be performed : It was the only 
means to prevent a total dereliction of the service ; 
it was a part of their hire. I may be allowed to say, 
it was the price of their blood and of your indepen- 
dency; it is therefore more than a common debt, it 
is a debt of honor ; it can never be considered as a 
pension or gratuity, nor canceled till it is fairly dis- 
charged." 

For the following sketch I am indebted to the 
Honorable William Eustis, a highly respectable sur- 
geon in the hospital department during the revolu- 
tionary war. 

Colonel John Crane, and others. 

The mechanics of Boston and its vicinity, may take 
a just pride in having furnished from their ranks 
some of the bravest and most useful officers of the 
revolutionary army, and among them, no one more 
brave or more useful than John Crane. 

In adverting to the sources whence they derived 
their knowledge of discipline, and of service, our 
first object is to show from facts and experience, 
the utility and importance of a well organized militia, 
and to defend this invaluable institution from the re- 
proaches of the ignorant and assuming, who would 
sap the foundation of the national defence; and 
secondly, to inspire the young mechanics with zeal 
in the military profession, that like their predecessors 
they may become the able and substantial defenders 
of their country. 

Previous to the war of the revolution, there was in 
Boston, a company of artillery, commanded by Cap- 
tain Adino Paddock, by profession a chaise maker. 
It was composed principally, if not altogether, of the 
mechanics of Boston, and was distinguished by its 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 429 

superior discipline, by the exactness of its manoeuvres, 
and the accuracy of its firings. Paddock had tory 
connexions, adhered to the British, went to England, 
was consulted repeatedly by the British ministry and 
was invested with the military command of the island 
of Guernsey. In this company were raised Colonel 
John Crane, Colonel, now General Ebenezer Stevens, 
with others, all of whose names are not recollected. 
Crane and Stevens were house carpenters, Perkins 
was a shoe maker, Seward a hatter, Popkins a tailor, 
Allen a sail maker, Carnes a rope maker, Lillie a 
cooper, Johnson a painter. Treat a cooper, Burbeck 

a , Hall a mason, D. Bryant a chair maker, 

Cook a butcher, Thomas a cooper, and Allen a sail 
maker. 

The greater part of these with others formed a 
regiment of artillery, not exceeded in discipline, 
valor, and usefulness by any regiment in service. 
Crane was made a major in 1773. An uneducated 
man, he had all the pride and ambition of a soldier. 
He was constitutionally bold and daring, courting 
danger wherever it was to be found. 

In 1775, when Boston was besieged, his station 
was in Roxbury. On Boston neck a breast work was 
constructed, and so soon as cannon could be procured, 
they were mounted. Crane had the command, spent 
a great part of his time there, and was never more 
delighted than when he was permitted to fire on the 
British entrenchment. Our stock of powder was then 
small. It was on this theatre that he first displayed 
an undaunted courage, and a knowledge of the art of 
gunnery, not often displayed by old artillery officers. 
He repeatedly dismounted the cannon in the em- 
brasures of the British works, killing and wounding 
their men. After the evacuation of Boston, he 
marched to New York. Whenever a British ship 
of war appeared in the East, or North river, or any 
firing was heard. Crane was on horseback and gallop- 
ed to the scene of action. Being reproached on 



430 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

an occasion when he exposed himself alone, riding 
tlirough Greenwich street, under the constant broad- 
sides of a passing ship, he replied, " the shot is 
not cast which is to kill me." 

Not long after, a frigate run up the East river and 
anchored on the Long Island side, near Carlaer's 
hook. Four field pieces were ordered to annoy her. 
They wxre only six pounders. Crane, as usual, was 
present and pointed the pieces. His sight was re- 
markably true, his aim was sure. He had from 
habit and the acuteness of his vision, the faculty of 
seeing a cannon ball on its passage through the air. 
A falling shot from the ship he kenned in a direction 
to strike, as he thought, the lower part of his body, 
not having time to change his position in any other 
way, he whirled himself round on one foot, the ball 
struck the other foot while raised in the air, carrying 
away the great toe and ball of the foot. Thus ended 
his usefulness for the campaign. He was afterwards 
removed to New Jersey, and surviving the perils of 
a partial jaw lock, so far recovered as to go home on 
furlough. He returned the next spring and continued 
in service till the peace. The nature of this work 
will not allow us to follow him through the remainder 
of his career, but we cannot refrain from stating 
a closing anecdote, illustrative of his independent 
spirit. He had been among the number of those who 
thought the army had been neglected by the coun- 
try, and spake as he felt indignantly at the treatment 
they had received. A board of general and field 
oflicers, with two hospital surgeons, were appointed to 
examine the wounded oflicers and soldiers in camp 
at the close of the war, and to report the rate of com- 
pensation to which they were severally entitled. A 
friend and brotlier ofiicer who well knew the nature 
of his wound, waited on Colonel Crane, represented 
to him that on his return to private life, his activity 
of mind and body would lead him to some kind of 
labor, and that having lost the ball of his foot, the 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 431 

bones would come through the cicatrix and his wound 
open again, asking the favor of him to walk over, and 
suffer his foot to be inspected. Stamping the wound- 
ed foot on the floor, he replied indignantly, " No, 
Sir, they never shall say that I eat their bread when 
I have done serving them." 

He entered afterwards on active and laborious 
business, and prospered for a number of years, met 
with adverse circumstances, his wound broke out 
again, he could no longer labor. After many years 
he came to the friend who had admonished him of 
the consequences of his wound, and said to him with 
tears in his eyes, " My friend, I am now a hum- 
bled man, you may do with me as you please.'' He 
was immediately placed on the pension list, but did 
not live a year to enjoy his pension. 

The important services of Major Stevens, who 
commanded the artillery under General Gates, in the 
campaign of 1777, are well known. 

There are anecdotes relative to many others of 
them, illustrative of their bravery in the field, and 
of their magnanimity and general usefulness during 
the war, which we have not room to particularize. 
One however, we cannot in justice omit. David 
Bryant, bred a chair maker in Boston, and after- 
wards a lieutenant in the artillery, was a man of small 
stature, but remarkable for the strictness of discipline 
which he observed from the earliest period of the 
war. At the close of the battle of Brandywine, he 
was hard pressed by the enemy, and was mortally 
wounded. His men hovered round him to take care 
of him. He addressed them in the following words. 
'^ My lads, it is over with me, leave me, but don't 
leave the pieces." His words were electric, they 
saved their pieces and brought him off on the trail. 
He died in the American camp. 

To the above catalogue of worthies, may be added 
Colonel Paul Revere, his occupation was that of a 
gold smith. He was a very active and influential 



452 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

patriot at the commencement of the revolution, asso- 
ciating with a number of mechanics who watched with 
a vigilant eye every movement of the British, and 
promptly communicated intelligence to the proper 
authority. In the evening preceding the 19th of 
April, 1775, Colonel Revere was one of the first who 
discovered that a British detachment was ordered on 
an expedition into the country, and with the utmost 
despatch repaired to Lexington, spreading the alarm 
among the militia, and giving notice to Messrs. Han- 
cock and Adams, who were then at the house of the 
clergyman in that town, that they might escape the 
impending danger. Colonel Revere was afterwards 
appointed to command a regiment of artillery in the 
militia, and was on the unfortunate Penobscot ex- 
pedition in the summer of 1779. He was through 
life, esteemed for unimpeachable integrity, attach- 
ment to correct political principles, and as a useful 
citizen. He died in Boston, in 1818, in his eighty 
fourth year. 

Dr. John Thomas is a respectable regimental sur- 
geon. He possesses a remarkable faculty of mimicry, 
and no person in New England can tell a yankee 
story with more genuine humor. An occurrence 
at head quarters is thus related by a gentleman who 
was present. General Washington seldom smiles, I 
never saw him laugh but once, it was after the pre- 
liminaries of peace were signed, and at a yankee 
story told by Dr. Thomas. The doctor being invit- 
ed to dine at head quarters, one of the aids requested 
the general's permission for him to repeat the dia- 
logue between two New England men who had visit- 
ed the French camp. In doing this he repeated 
quaint speeches and remarks in a manner so inimi- 
tably ludicrous that no one but his Excellency could 
contain his gravity. At length he added, "what, 
said Jonathan, do you think Chambeau's soldiers call 
a hat ? the tarnation fools, they call it a chappeau, 
why, and be darn'd to them, can't they call it a hat 



REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 433 

and adone with it." The general could no longer 
refrain, he barst into a fit of laughter. Tliere is not 
perhaps another man who can boast of exciting laugh- 
ter in General Washington. 

Captain Houdin, commonly pronounced Udang, is 
a Frenchman of singular manners and character, and 
ludicrous in his personal appearance, being rather 
tall but slender ; his features are sharp and irregular, 
complexion dark, with small jet black eyes. His 
long hair is brought in a braid to the top of his head, 
which is constantly covered with powder ; lie is never 
seen without his small sword, nor in coriversation 
without a display of vanity and affectation. He con- 
verses in broken English, with rapid articulation, 
often perverting words from their legitimate mean- 
ing. Dr. Thomas and Udang have at command an 
inexhaustible fund of merriment and humor, and 
Udang once said to the doctor, '^ you can take me 
off better than I can myself." On a return from 
Boston, in 1780, he related some incidents that oc- 
curred to him, which have frequently been repeated 
to aid in festive mirth. Some wag knowing his van- 
ity and affectation of consequence, had employed a 
negro wench to make a familiar address to him in some 
public place. This was a severe mortification, and 
destroyed all the comforts of his visit. In answer 
to an inquiry how he liked Boston, this vexation was 
uppermost in his mind. ^^ I like Boston very well 
all but one d — d madam nig." On being pressed 
further he related the particulars with all the action 
and irritation that the reality occasioned. One gen- 
tleman said to me, will you take a walk to the 
market — twas one very fine market — de poult, de 
geese, ebery ting — one very fine assortiment — dere 
it was I hear somebody say behind. How do you do, 
Captain Udang, I look round, one black bish say 
again, making reverence, ^ / hope you be well, Cap- 
tain Udang? Who be you speak to me in de 
market. You forget, she sav, I was your sweetheart 
55 



434 REVOLUTIONARY ANNALS, 1783. 

in '77. Hoi yo tongue, you d — d rascal bish. You 
speak to me in de market, when I am v/id j^ tlemen, 
I cut off your head, I will you rascal wencli i was 
so asham, I put de hat over my eyes and ruii right 
home tro five tousand people. Next day some gen- 
tlemen tell me, who own the black bish dat spoke to 
me in de market, and advise me to tell de mistress. 
I go to the house and knock, knock — by by door 
open. How do you do. Cap tarn Udmig, — de same 
black bish rascal dat spoke to me in de market — who 
own you — tell yo mistress one gentleman officer wish 
to see her. Madam, say I, do you own dat d — d 
madam nig, dat spoke to me in de market. She say, 
if you had not been too familiar with my negro 
wench, she would not spoke to you in de market, 1 
say you be one d — d rascal yourself, madam. 

There is among many good anecdotes related of 
monsieur one that shows the simplicity of the man 
and is characteristic of the times. Before and at 
the period of the adoption of the federal constitution 
great excitement existed in many parts of the coun- 
try against many of its leading provisions, much mis- 
chief was predicted and the irritated spirit of party 
could discern nothing but the most odious features 
and destructive tendencies. Houdin, on whom prin- 
ciples and opinions set rather loosely, was a zealous 
an ti- federalist. After the new government was 
adopted, he was among the first to apply to the war 
department for an office. With no very favorable 
indication in his manner, General Knox inquired, do 
you expect patronage under that system of govern- 
ment tliat you have every where assailed ? " Ah, 
general," says monsieur, I " tot it was popular, I meant 
noting." This honest simplicity availed him with 
the frank and generous mind of Knox, more than a 
hypocritical canting affectation of patriotism. He 
received the appointment of conductor of military 
sloreSf which he held till his death. 



APPENDIX. 



Note i.—See Page 122. 

General Burgoyne, in his defence, after his arrival 
in England, as commander of the northern expedi- 
tion, has paid a just tribute of praise to American 
bravery. Adverting to the action of the 19tli of Sep- 
tember, he says, "few actions have been characterized 
by more obstinacy in attack or defence. The British 
bayonet was repeatedly tried ineffectually. Eleven 
hundred British soldiers foiled in these trials, bore 
incessant fire from a succession of fresh troops, in 
superior numbers, for above four hours ; and after a 
Joss of above a third of their number, and in one of 
the regiments above two thirds, forced the enemy at 
last. Of a detachment of a captain and forty eight ar- 
tillery men, the captain and thirty six men were 
killed or wounded. The tribute of praise due to such 
troops, will not be wanting in this generous nation.'^ 
His observations respecting the action of the 7th of 
October, are expressed in the following energetic and 
feeling language. " The losses in the action, were 
uncommonly severe. Sir Francis Clark, my aid de 
camp, had originally recommended himself to my 
attention, by his talents and diligence. As service 
and intimacy opened his character more, he became 
endeared to me by every quality that can create 



436 APPENDIX. 

esteem. I lost in him a useful assistant, an amiable 
companion, an attached friend ; the state was de- 
prived by his death, of one of the fairest promises, 
of an able general. 

^' The fate of Colonel Ackland, taken prisoner, and 
then supposed to be mortally wounded, was a second 
source of anxiety. General Frazer was expiring. 

*^ In the course of the action, a shot had passed 
through my hat, and another had torn my waistcoat. 
I should be sorry to be thought at any time, insensi- 
ble to the protecting hand of Providence ; but I ever 
more particularly considered a soldier's hair-breadth 
escapes as incentives to duty, a marked renewal of 
the trust of being, for the due purposes of a public 
station ; and under this reflection, to lose our forti- 
tude, by giving way to our affections, to be diverted 
by any possible self-emotion, from meeting a present 
exigency with our best faculties, were at once dis- 
honor and impiety. 

General Frazer died of his wounds on the 8th inst. 
Before his death, he requested that his body might 
be carried, without parade, by the officers of his own 
corps to the great redoubt and there buried. About 
sun set the corpse was carried up the hill, and neces- 
sarily passed in view of both armies. Generals 
Burgoyne, Phillips, and Ucidesel placed themselves 
in the hinnble procession. As General Gates was 
not made acquainted with tlie intended solemnity, a 
constant cannonade was kept up, by our people 
directed to the hill, where the ceremony was per 
formed. From the pen of General Burgoyne, we 
have the following eloquent delineation of the melan- 
choly scene. *• The incessant cainionade during the 
solemnity, the steady attitude, and unaltered voice, 
with which the clergyman officiated, though fre- 
quently covered with dust, which the shot threw up 
on all sides of him ; the mute, but expressive mix- 
ture of sensibility and indignation on every counte- 
nance ; these objects will remain to the last of life 



APPENDIX. 437 

on the mind of every man, who was present. The 
growing duskiness, added to the scenery, and the 
whole marked a character of this juncture, that would 
make one of the finest subjects for the pencil of a 
master, that the field ever exhibited. To the can- 
vass and to the page of a more important historian, 
gallant friend ! I consign thy memory. There may 
thy talents, thy manly virtues, their progress and 
their period, find due distinction, and long may they 
survive, long after the frail record of my pen shall 
be forgotten." 

The following appropriate lines, are from the elegant 
pen of Mrs. Morton. 

To gallant Gates, in war serenely brave. 
The tide of fortune turns its refluent wave, 
Forc'd by his arm, the bold invaders yield 
The prize and glory of the well fought field ; 
Bleeding and lost the captured Ackland lies, 
^Vhile leaden slumbers seal his Fra£er''s eyes ; 
Frazer I whose deeds unfading glories claim, 
Endear'd by virtue, and adorn'd by fame. 



Lady Ackland. — Seepage 132. 

Further particulars respecting the affecting story 
of this distinguished lady have since appeared ; and 
from the writings of General Burgoyne and other 
sources, I extract the following. She accompanied 
Major Ackland to Canada in 1776, and was called 
to attend on him while sick in a miserable hut at 
Chamblee. In the expedition to Ticonderoga in 
1777, she was positively enjoined not to expose her- 
self to the risk and hazards which might occur on 
that occasion ; but Major Ackland, having received 
a wound in the battle of Hubberton, she crossed 
lake Champlain, to pay her attention to him. After 
this she followed his fortune, and shared his fatigucj, 



438 APPENDIX. 

while traversing the dreary, woody country to Fort 
Edward. Here the tent in which they lodged, took 
fire by night, from which they escaped with the ut- 
most difficulty. During the action of the 19th of Sep- 
tember, she was exposed to great fatigue, and inex- 
pressible anxiety for the fate of her husband, being 
advanced in the front of the battle. On the 7th of Oc- 
tober, during the heat of the conflict, Lady Ackland 
took refuge among the wounded and dying; her 
husband commanding tlie grenadiers, was in the most 
exposed part of the action, and she in awful suspense 
awaiting his fate. The baroness Reidesel, and the 
wives of two other field officers, were her companions 
in painful apprehension. One of these officers was 
soon brought in dangerously wou.nded, and the death 
of the other was announced. It was not long before 
intelligence was received that the British army was 
defeated, and that Major Ackland was desperately 
wounded and taken. The next day she prL.posed 
to visit her husband, in the American camp. Gen- 
eral Burgoyne observes, ^'Though I wms ready to 
believe, for 1 had experienced, tliat patience and 
fortitude in a supreme degree, w^ere to be found, as 
well as every other virtue, under the most tender 
forms, I was astonished at this proposal. After so 
long an agitation of the spirits, exhausted not only for 
want of rest, but, absolutely want of food, drenched 
in rain, for twelve hours togetlier, that a woman 
should be capable of delivering Jierself to the enemy, 
probably in the night, and uncertain into wliat hands 
she might fall, appeared an effort above human na- 
ture. The assistance I was enabled to give, was small 
indeed; I had not even a cuj) of wine to offer her, 
but I was told, she had found from some kind and 
fortunate hand a little rum and dirty water. All I 
could furnish to her, was an open boat and a few 
lines written on dirty and wet paper to General 
Gates, recommending her to his protection. — It is 
due to justice, at the close of this adventure; to say, 



APPENDIX. 439 

tliat slie was received and accommodated by General 
Gates, with all the humanity and respect, that her 
rank, her merits, and her fortunes deserved. 

^' Let such as are affected by these circumstances 
of alarm, hardship and danger, recollect that the 
subject of them was a woman of the most tender 
and delicate frame ; of the gentlest manners ; habitu- 
ated to all the soft elegancies and refined enjoyments 
that attend high birth and fortune ; and far advanc- 
ed in a state, in which the tender cares, always due 
to the sex, become indispensably necessary. Her 
mind alone w^as formed for such trials." 

The adventures of Lady Ackland have been a 
theme for the display of the poetic talents of the ac- 
complished lady of Perez Morton, Esquire. It is 
regretted that the limits of this production will not 
admit of more than the following lines, and those on 
the preceding page, from that excellent poem. 

'Twas now the time, when twilight's misty ray, 

Drops the brown rurtain of retiring day. 

The clouds of heaven, like midnight mountains, lower 

Waft the wild blast, and dash the drizzly shower, 

Through the wet path her restless footsteps roam, * 

To where the leader spread his spacious dome, 

Low at his feet she pours the desperate prayer — 

Give my lost husband to my soothing care, 

Give me, in yonder solitary cave, 

With duteous love, his burning wounds to lave, 

On the warm pillow, which this breast supplies, 

Catch his faint breath, and close his languid eyes, 

Or in his cause my proffer'd life resign, 

Mine were bis blessings, and his pains are mine. 



Note II.— Page 134. 

The following sketch borrowed from the Memoir* 
of General Wilkinson, is too highly interesting to be 
omitted ; every reader of taste will be gratified with 
the perusal, and for myself, I owe to General Wilkin- 
son only an apology for the liberty I have taken. 



440 APPENDIX. 

Extract from the Baroness ReidesePs Narrative. 

*^ As we had to march still further, I ordered a 
large calash to be built, capable of holding my three 
children, myself, and two female servants ; in this 
manner we moved with the army in the midst of the 
soldiery, who were very merry, singing songs, and 
panting for action. We had to travel through almost 
impassable woods and a most picturesque and beauti- 
ful country, which was abandoned by its inhabitants, 
who had repaired to the standard of General Gates ; 
they added much to his strength, as they were all 
good marksmen, and fitted by habit for the species of 
warfare the contending parties were then engaged 
in — and the love of their country inspired them with 
more than ordinary courage. The army had shortly 
to encamp ; I generally remained about an hour's 
march in the rear, where I received daily visits from 
my husband ; the array was frequently engaged in 
small aflPairs, but nothing of importance took place ; 
and as the season was getting cold. Major Williams of 
the artillery proposed to have a house built for me 
with a chimney, observing that it would not cost more 
than five or six guineas, and that the frequent change 
of quarters was very inconvenient to me ; it v^as 
accordingly built, and was called the Block house, 
from its square form and the resemblance it bore to 
those buildings. 

" On the 19th of September, an affair happened, 
which though it turned out to our advantage, yet 
obliged us to halt at a place called Freeman's farm ; 
I was an eye witness to the whole affair, and as my 
husband was engaged in it, I was full of anxiety, 
and trembled at every shot I heard ; I saw a great 
number of the wounded, and what added to the dis- 
tress of the scene, three of them were brought into 
the house in which I took shelter ; one was a Major 
Harnage of the sixty second British regiment, the 
husband of a lady of my acquaintance, another v^as 
a lieutenant, married to a lady with whom I had the 



APPENDIX. 441 

honor to be on terms of intimacy, and the third was 
an officer of the name of Young. 

'^ In a short time afterwards I heard groans pro- 
ceeding from a room near mine, and knew they 
must have been occasioned by the sufferings of the 
last mentioned officer, who lay writhing with his 
wounds. 

" His mournful situation interested me much, and 
the more so, because the recollection of many polite 
attentions, ireceived from a family of that name during 
my visit to England, was still forcibly impressed on 
my mind. I sent to him and begged him to accept 
my best services, and afterwards furnished him with 
food and refreshments ; he expressed a great desire 
to see me, politely calling me his benefactress. I 
accordingly visited him, and found him lying on a little 
straw, as he had lost his equipage. He was a young 
man eighteen or nineteen years of age, and really 
the beloved nephew of the Mr. Young, the head of 
the family I have mentioned, and the only son of 
his parents. This last circumstance was what he 
lamented most, as to his pain he thought lightly of it. 
He had lost much blood, and it was thought necessary 
to amputate the leg, but this he would not consent to, 
and of course a mortification took place. I sent him 
cushions and coverings, and my female friends sent 
him a mattress. I redoubled my attention to him, 
and visited him every day, for which I received a 
thousand wishes for my happiness. At last his limb 
was amputated, but it was too late, and he died the 
following day. As he lay in the next room to me, 
and the partition was very thin, I distinctly heard 
his last sigh, when his immortal part quitted its frail 
tenement, and I trust, winged its way to the mansions 
of eternal blis?. 

" But severer trials awaited us, and on the 7th of 
October, our misfortunes began ; I was at breakfast 
with my husband, and heard that something was in- 
tended. On the same dav J expected Generals Bur- 
56 



442 APPENDIX. 

goyne, Phillips and Frazer to dine with us. I saw a 
great movement among the troops ; my husband told 
me it was merely a reconnoisance, which gave me 
no concern, as it often happened. I walked out of 
the house and met several Indians in their war 
dresses, with guns in their hands. When I asked 
them where they were going, they cried out, war ! 
war ! meaning that they vi^ere going to battle. This 
filled me with apprehension, and I had scarcely got 
home before I heard reports of cannon and musketry 
which grew louder by degrees, till at last the noise 
became excessive. About four o'clock in the after- 
noon, instead of the guests whom I expected. Gen- 
eral Frazer was brought on a litter mortally wound- 
ed. The table, which was already set, was instantly 
removed and a bed placed in its stead for the wound- 
ed general. I sat trembling in a corner ; the noise 
grew louder, and the alarm increased ; the thought 
that my husband might perhaps be brought in, 
wounded in the same manner, was terrible to me, 
and distressed me exceedingly. General Frazer said 
to the surgeon, ^' tell me if my ivoimd is mortal^ 
do not flatter meP The ball had passed through 
his body, and unhappily for the general, he had 
eaten a very hearty breakfast, by which the stomach 
was distended, and the ball, as the surgeon said, 
had passed through it. I heard him often exclaim 
with a sigh, " OA, fatal ambition ! Poor General 
Burgoyne ! Oh, my poor wife /" He was asked 
if he had any request to make, to which he re- 
plied, that '^' If General Burgoyne ivould permit 
ity he should like to be buried at six o'clock in the 
evening, on the top of a mountain, in a redoubt 
which had been built thereP I did not know which 
way to turn, all the other rooms were full of sick. 
Towards evening I saw my husband coming, then I 
forgot all my sorrows, and thanked God that he was 
spared to me. He ate in great haste with me and 
his aid de camp, behind the house. We had been 



APPENDIX. 443 

told that we had the advantage over the enemy, but 
the sorrowful faces I beheld told a different tale, 
and before my husband went away he took me aside, 
and said every thing was going very badly, that 
I must keep myself in readiness to leave the place, 
but not to mention it to any one. I made the pre- 
tence that I would move the next morning into my 
new house and had every thing packed up ready. 

" Lady Ackland had a tent not far from our house, 
in this she slept, and the rest of the day she was in 
the camp. All of a sudden a man came to tell her 
that her husband was mortally wounded and taken 
prisoner; on hearing this she became very miserable, 
we comforted her by telling her that the wound 
was only slight, and at the same time advised her to 
go over to her husband, to do which, she would 
certainly obtain permission, and then she would at- 
tend him herself; she was a charming woman, and 
very fond of him. I spent much of the night in 
comforting her, and then went again to my children, 
whom I had put to bed. I could not go to sleep, as 
I had General Frazer and all the other wounded 
gentlemen in my room, and I was sadly afraid my 
children would wake, and by their crying, disturb 
the dying man in his last moments, who often ad- 
dressed me and apologized "/or the trouble he gave 
7yie.'^ About three o'clock in the morning I was 
told that he could not hold out much longer ; I had 
desired to be informed of the near approach of this 
sad crisis, and I then wrapped up my children in their 
clothes, and went with them into the room below. 
About eight o'clock in the morning he died. After 
he was laid out and his corpse wrapped up in a sheet, 
we came again into the room, and had this sorrowful 
sight before us the whole day, and to add to the 
melancholy scene, almost every moment some officer 
of my acquaintance was brought in wounded. The 
cannonade commenced again ; a retreat was spoken 
of, but not the smallest motion was made towards it. 



444 APPENDIX. 

About four o'clock in the afternoon, I saw the house 
which had just been built for me in flames, and the 
enemy was now not far off. We knew that General 
Burgoyne would not refuse the last request of Gen- 
eral Frazer, though by his acceding to it, an un- 
necessary delay was occasioned, by which the incon- 
venience of the army was much increased. At six 
o'clock the corpse was brought out, and we saw all 
the generals attend it to the mountain ; the chap- 
lain, Mr. Brudenell, performed the funeral service, 
rendered unusually solemn and awful from its being 
accompanied by constant peals from the enemy's 
artillery. Many cannon balls flew close by me, but 
I had my eyes directed towards the mountain,* 
where my husband was standing, amidst the fire of 
the enemy, and of course, I could not think of my 
own danger. 

^^ General Gates afterwards said, that if he had 
known it had been a funeral he would not have per- 
mitted it to be fired on. 

" So soon as the funeral service was finished, and 
the grave of General Frazer was closed, an order 
was issued that the army should retreat. My calash 
was prepared, but I would not consent to go before 
the troops. Major Harnage, though suffering from 
his wounds, crept from his bed, as he did not wish 
to remain in the hospital, which was left with a flag 
of truce. When General Reidesel 'saw me in the 
midst of danger, he ordered my women and children 
to be brought into the calash, and intimated to me to 
depart without delay. I still prayed to remain, but 
my husband, knowing my weak side, said, '^ well 
then, your children must go, that at least they may 
be safe from danger." I then agreed to enter the 
calash with them, and we set off at eight o'clock. 

"The retreat was ordered to be conducted with 
the greatest silence, many fires were lighted, and 

*The height occupied by Burgoyne on the 18th, which ran parallel 
with the river till it approached General Gates^ camp. 



APPENDIJi. 445 

several tents left standing ; we travelled continually 
during the night. At six o'clock in the morning we 
halted, which excited the surprize of all ; General 
Burgoyne had the cannon ranged and counted; this 
delay seemed to displease every body, for if we could 
only have made another good march, we should have 
been in safety. My husband, quite exhausted with 
fatigue, came into my calash, and slept for three hours. 
During that time, Captain Willoe brought me a bag 
full of bank notes, and Captain Grismar his elegant 
watch, a ring, and a purse full of money, which they 
requested me to take care of, and which I promised 
to do to the utmost of my power. We again march- 
ed, but had scarcely proceeded an hour before we 
halted, as the enemy was in sight ; it proved to be 
only a reconnoitering party of two hundred men, who 
might easily have been made prisoners, if General 
Burgoyne had given proper orders on the occasion. 

" The Indians had now lost their courage, and 
were departing for their homes ; these people ap- 
peared to droop much under adversity, and especially 
when they had no prospect of plunder. One of my 
waiting women was in a state of despair, which ap- 
proached to madness ; she cursed and tore her hair^ 
and when I attempted to reason with her, and to 
pacify her, she asked me if I was not grieved at our 
situation, and on my saying, I was, she tore her cap 
off her head and let her hair drop over her face, say- 
ing to me, ^' it is very easy for you to be composed 
and talk, you have your husband with you, I have 
none, and what remains to me but the prospect of 
perishing or losing all I have." I again bade her 
take comfort, and assured her I would make good 
whatever she might happen to lose, and I made the 
same promise to Ellen, my other waiting woman, 
who, though filled with apprehensions, made no com- 
plaints. 

^''' About evening we arrived at Saratoga; my 
dress was wet through and through with rain, and in 



446 APPENDIX. 

this state I had to remain the wliole night, having no 
place to change it ; I however got close to a large 
fire, and at last lay down on some straw. At this 
moment General Phillips came up to me, and I asked 
him why he had not continued our retreat, as my 
husband had promised to cover it and bring the army 
through ? ^' Poor, dear woman,'' said he, '' I wonder 
how, drenched as you are, you have the courage still 
to persevere and venture further in this kind of 
weather; I wish," continued he, ^'you was our com- 
manding general. General Burgoyne is tired and 
means to halt here to night and give us our supper. 
'' On the morning of the 7th, at ten o'clock. Gen- 
eral Burgoyne ordered the retreat to be continued, 
and caused the handsome houses and mills of General 
Schuyler to be burnt ; we marched, however, but 
a short distance, and then halted. The greatest 
misery at this time prevailed in the army, and more 
than thirty oflicers came to me, for whom tea and cof* 
fee was prepared, and with whom I shared all my 
provisions, with which my calash was in general well 
supplied ; for I l»ad a cook who was an excellent cate- 
rer, and who often in the night crossed small rivers 
and foraged on the inhabitants, bringing in with him, 
sheep, small pigs, and poultry, for which he very often 
forgot to pay, though he received good pay from me 
so long as I had any, and was ultimately handsomely 
rewarded. Our provisions now failed us for want of 
proper conduct in the commissary's department, and 
I began to despair. About two o'clock in the after- 
noon we again heard a firing of cannon and small 
arms ; instantly all was alarm, and every thing in 
motion. My husband told me to go to a house not 
far olf; I immediately seated myself in my calash, 
with my children, and drove off; but scarcely had 
we reached it before I discovered five or six armed 
men on the other side of the Hudson ; instinctively I 
threw my children down in the calash, and then con- 
cealed myself with them ; at this moment the fellows 



APPENDIX. 447 

fired and wounded an already wounded English sol- 
dier, who was behind me ; poor fellow, I pitied him 
exceedingly, but at this moment had no means or 
power to reheve him. A terrible cannonade was 
commenced by the enemy, which was directed against 
the house in which I sought to obtain shelter for 
myself and children, under the mistaken idea that 
all the generals were in it. Alas! it contained none 
but wounded and women ; we were at last obliged to 
resort to the cellar for refuge, and in one corner of 
this I remained the whole day, my children sleeping 
on the earth with their heads in my l;ip ; and in the 
same situation I passed a sleepless night. — Eleven can- 
non balls passed through the house, and we could dis- 
tinctly hear them roll away. One poor soldier who 
was lying on a table, for the purpose of having his 
leg am])utatcd, was struck by a shot, which carried 
away his other; his comrades had left him, and when 
we went to his assistance we found him in a corner of 
the room, into which he had crept, more dead than 
alive, scarcely breathing. My reflections on the 
danger to which my husband was exposed now ago- 
nized me exceedingly, and tlie thouglits of my chil- 
dren and the necessity of struggling for their pre- 
servation alone sustained me. 

"The ladies of the army who were with me, w^crc 
Mrs. Harnage, a Mrs. Kennels, the widow of a lieu- 
tenant who was killed, and the lady of the commis- 
sary. Major Harnage, his wife, and Mrs. Kennels, 
made a little room in a corner with curtains to it, 
and wished to do the same for me, but I preferred 
being near the door, in case of fire. Not far off my 
women slept, and opposite to us three English ofli- 
ccrs, who, though wounded, were determined not to 
be left behind ; one of them was Captain Green, an 
aid de camp to Major General Phillips, a very valu- 
able officer and most agreeable man. They each 
made me a most sacred promise not to leave me be- 
hind, and in case of sudden retreat, that they would 



448 APPENDIX. 

each of them take one of my children on his horse, 
and for myself, one of my husband's was in constant 
readiness. 

'^ Our cook, whom I have before mentioned, pro- 
cured us our meals, but we were in want of water, 
and I was often obliged to drink wine and to give it 
to my children. It was the only thing my husband 
took, which made our faithful Hunter, Rockel, ex- 
press one day his apprehensions, that, " the general 
was weary of his life, or fearful of being taken, as he 
drank so much wine." The constant danger which 
my husband was in, kept me in a state of wretched- 
ness, and I asked myself, if it was possible, I should 
be the only happy one, and have my husband spared 
to me unhurt, exposed as he was to so many perils. 
He never entered his tent, but laid down whole 
nights by the watch fires ; this alone was enough to 
have killed him, the cold was so intense. 

^' The want of water distressed us much ; at length 
we found a soldier's wife who had courage enough to 
fetch us some from the river, an office nobody else 
would undertake, as the Americans shot at every 
person who approached it, but out of respect for her 
sex they never molested her. 

" I now occupied myself through the day in attend- 
ing the wounded ; I made them tea and coffee, and 
often shared my dinner with them, for which they offer- 
ed me a thousand expressions of gratitude. One day 
a Canadian officer came to our cellar, who had scarcely 
the power of holding himself upright, and we con- 
cluded he was dying for want of nourishment ; I was 
happy in offering him my dinner, which strength- 
ened him and procured me his friendship. I now 
undertook the care of Major Bloomfield, another aid 
de camp of General Phillips, he had received a mus- 
ket ball through both cheeks, which in its course had 
knocked out several of his teeth, and cut his tongue, 
he could hold nothing in his mouth, the matter which 
,ran from his wound almost choked him, and he was 



APPENDIX. 449 

not able to take any nourishment except a little Soup, 
or something liquid ; we had some Rhenish wine, 
and in the hope that the acidity of it would cleanse 
his wound, I gave him a bottle of it ; he took a little 
now and then, and with such effect, that his cure 
soon followed ; thus I added another to my stock 
of friends, and derived a satisfaction which in the 
midst of sufferings, served to tranquillize me and 
diminish their acuteness. 

" One day. General Phillips accompanied my hus- 
band, at the risk of their lives, on a visit to us, who, 
after having witnessed our situation, said to him, " I 
would not for ten thousand guineas come again to 
this place, my heart is almost broken." 

^^ In this horrid situation we remained six days ; 
a cessation of hostilities was now spoken of, and 
eventually took place : a convention was afterwards 
agreed on ; but one day a message was sent to my 
husband who had visited me and was reposing in my 
bed, to attend a council of war, where it was pro- 
posed to break the convention, but to my great joy, 
the majority were for adhering to it ; on the 16th, 
however, my husband had to repair to his post, and 
I to my cellar ; this day fresh beef was served out 
to the officers, who till now had only had salt provi- 
sions, which was very bad for their wounds. The 
good woman who brought us water, made us an ex- 
cellent soup of the meat, but I had lost my appetite, 
and took nothing but crusts of bread dipped in wine. 
The wounded officers, my unfortunate companions, 
cut off the best bit and presented it to me on a plate. 
I declined eating any thing, but they contended that 
it was necessary for me to take nourishment, and 
declared they would not touch a morsel till I afforded 
them the pleasure of seeing me partake ; I could no 
longer withstand their pressing invitations, accom- 
panied as they were by assurances of the happiness 
they had in offering me the first good thing they had 
in their power, and I partook of a repast rendered 
57 



450 APPENDIX. 

palatable by the kindness and good will of my fellow 
sufferers, forgetting for the moment the misery of 
our apartment, and the absence of almost every 
comfort. 

^' On the 17th of October, the convention was com- 
pleted. General Burgoyne, and ti;e other generals^ 
waited on the American General Gates ; the troops 
laid down their arms, and gave themselves up prisoners 
of vva-r ! And now the good woman who had sup: 
plied us with water at the hazard of her lite, received 
the reward of her services ; each of us threw a handful 
of money into her apron and she got altogethv^r about 
twenty guineas. At such a moment as this, how sus- 
ceptible is the heart of feelings of gratitude ! 

*' My husband sent a message to me to come over 
to him with my children. I seated myself once more 
in my dear calash, and then rode through the Ame- 
rican camp. As I passed on, I observed, and this 
w^as a great consolation to me, that no one eyed me 
with looks of resentment, but that they all greeted 
us and even showed compassion in their countenances 
at the siglit of a woman with small children. I was, 
I confess, afraid to go over to the enemy, as it was 
quite a new situation to me. When I drew near the 
tents, a handsome man approached and met me, took 
my children from the calash, and hugged and kiss- 
ed them, which affected me almost to tears. " You 
tremble," said he, addressing himself to me, ^' be not 
afraid." " No," I answered, " you seem so kind 
and tender to my children, it inspires me with cou- 
rage." He now led me to the tent of General Gates, 
where I found Generals Burgoyne and Phillips, who 
were on a friendly footing witii the former. Bur- 
goyne said to me, *• Never mind, your sorrows have 
now an end." I answered him, *' that I should be 
reprehensible to have any cares, as he had none ;" 
and I was pleased to see him on such a fri- ndly foot- 
ing with General Gates. All the generals remained 
to dine with General Gates. 



APPENDIX. 451 

" The same gentleman who received me so kindly, 
now came and said to me, " You will be very much 
embarrassed to eat with all these gentlemen ; come 
tvith your children to my tent, where I will prepare 
for you a frugal dinner and give it with a free 
wilV^ I said, " You are certainly a husband and 
a father, you have shown me so ?nuch kindness.^' 
I now found that he was General Schuyler. He 
treated me with excellent smoked tongue, beef steaks, 
potatoes and good bread and butter ! Never could I 
have wished to eat a better dinner ; I was content : 
I saw all around me were so likewise ; and what was 
better than all, by husband was out of danger. When 
we had dined, he told me his residence was at Albany, 
and that General Burgoyne intended to honor him as 
his guest, and invited myself and children to do so 
likewise. I asked my husband how I should act ; he 
told me to accept the invitation. As it was two days' 
journey there, he advised me to go to a place which 
was about three hours ride distant. General Schuyler 
had the politeness to send with me a French officer, 
a very agreeable man, who commanded the recon- 
noitering party, of which I have before spoken ; and 
when he had escorted me to the house where I was 
to remain, he turned back again. In the house, I 
found a French surgeon, who had under his care a 
Brunswick officer, who was mortally wounded, and 
died some days afterwards. The Frenchman boasted 
much of the care he took of his patient, and perhaps 
was skilful enough as a surgeon, but otherwise was a 
mere simpleton ; he was rejoiced when he found out 
I could speak his language, and began to address many 
empty and impertinent speeches to me. He said, 
among other things, he could not believe that I was 
a general's wife, as he was certain a woman of such 
rank would not follow her husband ; he wished me 
to remain with him, as he said it was better to be 
with the conquerors than the conquered. I was 
shocked at his impudence, but dared not show the 



452 APPENDIX. 

contempt and disdain I felt for him, because it would 
deprive me of a place of safety. Towards evening 
he begged me to take a part of his chamber. I told 
him I was determined to remain in the room with 
the wounded officer ; whereon he attempted to pay 
me some stupid compliments. Jit this moment the 
door opened, and my husband with his aid de camp 
entered. I then said, " Here, Sir, is my husband,'' 
and at the same time eyed him with scorn, whereon 
he retired abashed ; nevertheless he was so polite as 
to offer his chamber to us. 

" Some days after this we arrived at Albany, v^^here 
we so often wished ourselves ; but we did not enter 
it as we expected we should — victors ! We were re- 
ceived by the good General Schuyler, his wife, and 
daughters, not as enemies, but kind friends, and 
they treated us with the most marked attention and 
politeness, as they did General Burgoyne, who had 
caused General Schuyler's beautifully finished house 
to be burnt ; in fact, they behaved like persons of 
exalted minds, who determined to bury all recollec- 
tion of their own injuries in the contemplation of our 
misfortunes. General Burgoyne was struck with 
General Schuyler's generosity, and said to him, 
'^ You show me great kindness, though I have done 
you much injury." " That was the fate of war," re- 
plied the brave man, ^^ let us say no more about it." 



Note III.— Page 150. 

Mr. Bushnell's squadron of kegs committed to the 
Delaware in 1777, produced an unprecedented alarm 
among the British fleet at Philadelphia, and the sin- 
gular catastrophe was, by the Honorable Francis Hop- 
kinson, made a subject of the following song, which 



APPENDIX. 453 

has been, and ever will be, celebrated for the bril- 
liancy of its wit and humor. 

THE BATTLE OF THE KEGS:— A Song. 

Tune — Moggy Lawder. 
Gallants, attend, and hear a friend 

Thrill forth harmonious ditty : 
Strange things I'll tell, which 1 ate befell 

In Philadelphia city. 

'Twas early day, as poets say, 

Just when the sun was rising, 
A soldier stood on log of wood. 

And saw a sight surprizing. 

As in a maze he stood to gaze, 

The truth can't be denied, Sir, 
He spied a score of kegs or more. 

Come floating down the tide, Sir. 

A sailor, too, in jerkin blue. 

The strange appearance viewing, ^ 

First damnM his eyes, in great surprize, 

Then said, " some mischief's brewing. 

" These kegs now hold the rebels bold, 

" Pack'd up like pickled herring ; 
" And they're come down, t' attack the town 

" In this new way of ferrying." 

The soldier flew ; the sailor too ; 

And scar'd almost to death. Sir, 
Wore out their shoes to spread the news, 

And ran till out of breath, Sir. 

Now up and down, throughout the town. 

Most frantic scenes were acted ; 
And some ran here, and some ran there, 

Like men almost distracted. 

Some fire cried, which some denied. 

But said the earth had quaked : 
And girls and boys, with hideous noise, 

Ran through the town half naked. 

Sir William* he, snug as a flea, 

Lay all this time a snoring ; 
Nor dreamt of harm, as he lay warm 

In bed with Mrs. L ng.t 

* Sir William Howe. 

t The wife of Joshua Loring, a refugee from Boston, made commis- 
sary of prisoners, by General Howe. " The consummate cruelties 
practised on the American prisoners under his administration, almost 
exceed the ordinary powers of human invention. The conduct of the 
Turks in putting all prisoners to death, is certainly much more rational 
and humane, than that of the British army for the first three years of 
the American war, or till after the capture of Burgoyne." 



454 APPENDIX. 

Now in a fright, he starts upright, 

AwakM by such a clatter, 
He rubs both eyes, and boldly cries, 

" For God's sake, what's the matter?'* 

At his bed-side he then espied 

Sir Erskine* at command. Sir ; 
Upon one foot he had one boot, 

And t'other in his hand. Sir. 

" Arise ! arise I" Sir Erskine cries ; 

" The rebels — more's the pity — 
" Without a boat, are all on float, 

" And rang'd before the city. 

" The motley crew, in vessels new, 
" With satan for their guide. Sir, 

*' Pack'd up in bags, or wooden kegs, 
" Come driving down the tide, Sir: 

" Therefore prepare for bloody war; 

*' These kegs must all be routed, 
" Or surely we despis'd shall be, 

" And British courage doubted." 

The royal band now ready stand, 

All rang'd in dread array, Sir, 
With stomachs stout, to see it out, 

And make a bloody day, Sir. 

The cannons roar from shore to shore. 

The small arms make a rattle : 
Since wars began, I'm sure no man 

E'er saw so strange a battle. 

The rebel vales, the rebel dales, 

With rebel trees surrounded, 
The distant woods, the hills and floods, 

With rebel echoes sounded. 

The fish below swam to and fro, 

Attack'd from ev'ry quarter ; 
*' Why sure," thought thej', " the devil's to pay 

" 'Mongst folks above the water." 

The kegs, 'tis said, though strongly made 

Of rebel staves and hoops, Sir, 
Could not oppose their pow'rful foes, 

The conq'ring British troops, Sir. 

From morn to night these men of might 

Display'd amazing courage : 
And when the sun was fairly down, 

Retir'd to sup their porridge. 

A hundred men, with each a pen, 

Or more, upon my word, Sir, 
It is most true, would be too few 

Their valor to record. Sir. 

* Sir William Erskine. 



APPENDIX. 455 



Siich feats did thej- perform that day, 

Upon these wicked kegs, Sir, 
That years to come, if they get home. 

They'll make their boasts and brags, Sir. 



Note lY.—Page 310. 

The following is an abstract of an interesting narra- 
tive taken from the travels of the late Dr. Dwight. 

After the failure of the expedition against the 
British garrison at Penobscot, General Peleg Wads- 
worth was appointed in the spring of 1780, to the 
command of a party of state troops in Camden, in the 
District of Maine. At the expiration of the period 
for which the troops were engaged in February fol- 
lowing, General Wadsworth dismissed his troops, re- 
taining six soldiers only as his guard, and he was 
making preparations to depart from the place. A 
neighboring inhabitant communicated his situation to 
the British commander at Penobscot, and a party of 
twenty five soldiers commanded by Lieutenant Stock- 
ton, was sent to make him a prisoner. They em- 
barked in a small schooner, and landing within four 
miles of the general's quarters, they were concealed 
at the house of one Snow, a methodist preacher, pro- 
fessedly a friend to him, but really a traitor, till 
eleven o'clock in the evening, where they made their 
arrangements for the attack on the general's quarters. 
The party rushed suddenly on the sentinel, who gave 
the alarm and one of his comrades instantly opened 
the door of the kitchen, and the enemy were so near 
as to enter with the sentinel. The lady of the gene- 
ral, and her friend Miss Fenno, of Boston, were in the 
house at the time, and Mrs. Wadsworth escaped from 
the room of her husband into that of Miss Fenno. 
The assailants soon became masters of the whole 
house, except the room where the general was, and 
which was strongly barred, and they kept up a con- 
stant firing of musketry into the windows and doors 



456 APi*ENDix. 

except into those of the ladies' room. General Wads- 
worth was provided with a pair of pistols, a blunder- 
buss and a fusee, which he employed with great dex- 
terity, being determined to defend himself to the last 
moment. With his pistols, which he discharged 
several times, he defended the windows of his room 
and a door which opened into the kitchen. His 
blunderbuss he snapped several times, but unfortu- 
nately it missed fire, he then seized his fusee, which 
he discharged on some who were breaking through 
one of the windows, and obliged them to flee. He 
next defended himself with his bayonet, till he re- 
ceived a ball through his left arm, when he surren- 
dered, which terminated the contest. The firing 
however, did not cease from the kitchen till the gen- 
eral unbarred the door, when the soldiers rushed into 
the room, and one of them who had been badly 
wounded, pointing a musket at his breast, exclaimed 
with an oath, ^^ you have taken my life and I will 
take yours." But Lieutenant Stockton turned the 
musket and saved his life. The commanding officer 
now applauded the general for his admirable defence, 
and assisted in putting on his clothes, saying, " you 
see we are in a critical situation, you must excuse 
haste." Mrs. Wadsworth threw a blanket over him, 
and Miss Fenno applied a handkerchief closely round 
his wounded arm. In this condition, though much 
exhausted, he, with a wounded American soldier, was 
directed to march on foot, while two British wound- 
ed soldiers were mounted on a horse taken from 
the general's barn. They departed in great haste. 
When they had proceeded about a mile, they met at 
a small house, a number of people who had collected, 
and who inquired if they had taken General Wads- 
worth. They said no, and added, that they must 
leave a wounded man in their care, and if they paid 
proper attention to him they should be compensated, 
but if not, they would burn down their house, but 
the man appeared to be dying. General Wadsworth 



APPENDIX. 457 

was now mounted on the horse behind the other 
wounded soldier, and was warned that Iiis safety de- 
pended on his silence. Having crossed over a frozen 
mill pond about a mile in length, they were met by 
some of their party who !iad been left behind. At this 
place they found the British privateer which brought 
the party from the fort, the captain on being told 
that he must return there with the prisoner and the 
party, and seeing some of his men woiuided, became 
outrageous, and damned the general for a rebel, de- 
manded how he dared to fire on the king^s troops, 
and ordered liim to help launch the boat or he would 
put his hanger through his body. The general re- 
plied that he was a prisoner, and badly wounded and 
could not assist in launching the boat. Lieutenant 
Stockton, on learning of this abusive treatment, in a 
manner honorable to liimsclf, told the captain that 
the prisoner was a gentleman, had made a brave de- 
fence, and was to be treated accordingly, and added, 
that his conduct should be represented to General 
Campbell. After this the captain treated the prisoner 
with great civility and afforded him every comfort 
in his power. General Wadsworth had left the 
ladies in the house, not a window of which escaped 
destruction. The doors were broken down and two 
of the rooms were set on fire, the lloors covered with 
blood, and on one of them lay a brave old soldier 
dangerously wounded begging for deatli, that he 
might be released from misery. The anxiety and dis- 
tress of Mrs. Wadsworth was inexpressible, and that 
of the general was greatly increased by the uncertain- 
ty in his mind respecting the fate of his little son, 
only five years old, who had been exposed to every 
danger by the firing into the house, but he had the 
happiness afterwards to hear of his safety. Having 
arrived at the British post, the capture of General 
Wadsworth was soon announced and the shore tiirong- 
ed with spectators, to see the man, who, through the 
preceding year, had disappointed all the designs of 
58 



458 APPENDIX. 

the British in that quarter ; and loud shouts were 
lieard from the rabble which covered the shore ; but 
when he arrived at the fort and was conducted into 
the officers' guard room, he was treated with polite- 
ness. General Campbell, the commandant of the 
British garrison, sent his compliments to him and a 
surgeon to dress his wounds, assuring him that his 
situation should be made comfortable. The next 
morning, General Campbell invited him to breakfast, 
and at table paid him many compliments on the de- 
fence he had made, observing however, that he had 
exposed himself in a degree not perfectly justifiable. 
General Wadsworth replied, that from the manner of 
the attack he had no reason to suspect any design of 
taking him alive, and that he intended therefore to 
sell his life as dearly as possible. " But, Sir,'' says 
General Campbell, *• I understand that the captain of 
the privateer treated you very ill, I shall see that 
matter set right." He then informed the prisoner, 
that a room in the officers' barracks within the fort, 
was prepared for him, and that he should send his 
orderly sergeant daily to attend him to breakfast and 
dinner at his table. Having retired to his solitary 
apartment, and while his spirits were extremely de- 
pressed by a recollection of the past, and by his pre- 
sent situation, he received from General Campbell 
several books of amusement, and soon after a visit 
from him, kindly endeavoring to cheer the spirits of 
his prisoner by conversation. Not long after, the 
officers of the party called, and among others the re- 
doubtable captain of the privateer, who called to ask 
pardon for what had fallen from him when in a pas- 
sion, adding, that it was not in his nature to treat a 
gentleman prisoner ill, that the unexpected disapi- 
pointment of his cruise had thrown him off his guard, 
and he hoped that this would be deemed a sufficient 
apology. This General Wadsworth accepted. At 
the hour of dining he was invited to the table of 
the commandant, where he met with all the principal 



APPENDIX. 459 

oflicers of the garrison, and from whom he received 
particular attention and politeness. General Wads- 
worth soon made application to the commandant for 
a flag of truce, by which means he could transmit a 
letter to the governor of Massachusetts, and another 
to Mrs. Wadsworth, this was granted, on the con- 
dition thnt the letter to the governor should be 
inspected. The flag was entrusted to Lieutenant 
Stockton, and on his return, the general was relieved 
from all anxiety respecting his wife and family. Gen- 
eral Campbell, and the officers of the garrison, con- 
tinued their civilities for some time, and endeavored 
by books and personal visits to render his situation as 
pleasant as circumstances would admit of. At the 
end of five weeks, his wound being nearly healed, he 
requested of General Campbell, the customary privi- 
lege of a parole, and received in reply, that his case 
had been reported to the commanding officer at New 
York, and that no alteration could be made till orders 
were received from that quarter. In al)out two 
months, Mrs. Wadsworth, and Miss Fenno arrived, 
and General Campbell, and some of the officers, con- 
tributed to render their visit agreeable to all con- 
cerned. About the same time, orders were received 
from the commanding general at New York, which 
were concealed from General Wadsworth, but he 
finally learnt that he was not to be paroled nor ex- 
changed, but was to be sent to England as a rebel of 
too much consequence to be at liberty. Not long 
afterwards Major Benjamin Burton, a brave and 
worthy man, who had served under General Wads- 
worth the preceding summer, was taken and brought 
into the fort, and lodged in the same room with Gen- 
eral Wadsworth. He had been informed, that both 
himself and the general were to be sent, immediately 
after the return of a privateer now out on a cruise, 
either to New York or Halifax, and thence to Eng- 
land. The prisoners immediately resolved to make 
a desperate attempt to effect their escape. They 



460 APPENDIX, 

were confined in a grated room ifi the officers' bar- 
racks within the fort. The walls of this fortress, ex- 
clusively of the depth of the ditch surrounding it, were 
twenty feet high, with fraising on the top, and che- 
vaux de frise at the bottom. Two sentinels were 
always in the entry, and their door, the upper part 
of which was of glass, might be opened by these 
watchmen whenever they thought proper, and was 
actually opened at seasons of peculiar darkness and 
silence. At the exterior doors of the entries, senti- 
nels were also stationed, as were others in the body 
of the fort, and at the quarters of General Campbell. 
At the guard house, a strong guard was daily mount- 
ed. Several sentinels were stationed on the walls of 
the fort, and a complete line occupied them by night. 
Without the ditch, glacis and abattis, another com- 
plete set of soldiers patroled through the night, also. 
The gate of the fort was shut at sun set, and a piquet 
guard was placed on or near the isthmus leading from 
the fort to the main land. 

The room in which they were confined was railed 
with boards. One of these they determined to cut 
off so as to make a hole large enough to pass through, 
and then to creep along till they should come to the 
next or middle entry ; and then lower themselves 
down into this entry by a blanket. If they should 
not be discovered, the passage to the walls of the fort 
was easy. In the evening, after the sentinels had 
seen the prisoners retire to bed. General Wadsworth 
got up and standing in a chair attempted to cut with 
his knife the intended opening, but soon found it 
impracticable. The next day by giving a soldier a 
dollar they procured a gimblet. With this instru- 
ment they proceeded cautiously and as silently as 
possible to perforate the board, and in order to con- 
ceal every appearance from their servants and from 
the officers their visiters, they carefully covered the 
giin::iet holes with chewed bread. At the end of 
three weeks their labors were so far completed that 



APPENDIX. 461 

it only remained to cut with a knife the parts which 
were left to hold the piece in its place. When their 
preparations were finished, they learned that the 
privateer in which they were to embark was daily 
expected. In the evening of the 18th of June, a 
very severe storm of rain, with great darkness and 
almost incessant lightning came on. This the priso- 
ners considered as the propitious moment. Having 
extinguished their lights, they began to cut the cor- 
ners of the board, and in less than an hour the in- 
tended opening was completed. The noise which 
the operation occasioned was drowned by the rain fall- 
ing on the roof. Major Burton first ascended to the 
ceiling, and pressed himself through the opening. 
General Wadsworth next, having put the corner of 
his blanket through the hole and made it fast by 
a strong wooden skewer, attempted to make his 
way through, standing on a chair below, but it was 
with extreme difliculty that he at length eifected it, 
and reached the middle entry. From this he pass- 
ed through the door which he found open, and made 
his way to the wall of the fort, and had to encounter 
the greatest difliculty before he could asqend to the 
top. He had now to creep along the top of the fort 
between the sentry boxes at the very moment when 
the relief was shifting sentinels, but the falling of 
heavy rain kept the sentinels within their boxes, and 
favored his escape. Having now fastened his blanket 
round a picket at the top, he let himself down 
through the chevaux de frise to the ground, and in a 
manner astonishing to himself made his way into the 
open field. Here he was obliged to grope his way 
among rocks, stumps and brush in the darkness of 
night, till he reached the cove, happily the tide had 
ebbed and enabled him to cross the water about a 
mile in breadth and not more than three feet deep. 
About two o'clock in the morning General Wads- 
worth found himself a mile and a half from the fort, 
and he proceeded through a thick wood and brush to 



462 APPENDIX. 

the Penobscot river, and after passing some distance 
along the shore, being seven miles from the fort, to 
his unspeakable joy he saw his friend Burton ad- 
vancing towards him. Major Burton had been oblig- 
ed to encounter in his course equal difficulties with 
his companion, and such were the incredible perils, 
dangers and obstructions, which they surmounted, 
that their escape may be considered almost miracu- 
lous. It was now necessary they should cross the 
Penobscot river, and very fortunately they discovered 
a canoe with oars on the shore suited to their pur- 
pose. While on the river they discovered a barge 
with a party of British from the fort in pursuit of 
them, but by taking an oblique course, and plying 
their oars to the utmost, they happily eluded the 
eyes of their pursuers and arrived safe on the west- 
ern shore. After having wandered in the wilder- 
ness for several days and nights, exposed to extreme 
fatigue and cold, and with no other food than a little 
dry bread and meat, which they brought in their 
pockets from the fort, they reached the settlements 
on the river St. George, and no further difficulties 
attended their return to their respective families. 



Note V. 

There is a particular transaction in the history of 
our Revolutionary war, which was known only to 
General Washington and a single confidential officer, 
the gallant Major Lee, commander of a corps of cav- 
alry. As the story is particularly interesting, and 
as it has never been disclosed to the public, by any 
historian, except by Major Lee in his valuable 
memoirs, I cannot resist the temptation of enriching 
this work with the narration, in the words of the re- 
spectable author. 

" Lately, John Champe, sergeant major of the le- 
gion of cavalry, who had been for several months con- 



APPENDIX. 463 

sidered by the corps a deserter, returned. This 
high-minded soldier had been selected to undertake 
a very difTicult and perilous ])rojeot, the narration of 
which is due to his merit, as well as to the singularity 
of his progress. 

^<The treason of General Arnold, — the capture of 
Andre, with intelligence received by Washington, 
through his confidential agents in New York, com- 
municating that many of his officers, and especially 
a major general named to him, were connected with 
Arnold, could not fail to seize the attention of a com- 
mander even less diligent and zealous. It engaged his 
mind entirely, exciting sensations the most anxious, 
as well as unpleasant. The moment he reached the 
army, then under the orders of Major General Greene, 
encamped in the vicinity of Tappan, he- sent for 
Major Lee, posted with the light troops some distance 
in front. This officer repaired to head quarters with 
celerity, and found the general in his marquee alone, 
busily engaged in writing. So soon as Lee entered, 
he was requested to take a seat, and a bundle of pa- 
pers, lying on t!ie table, was given to him for perusal. 
In these much information was detailed, tending to 
prove that Arnold was not alone in the base con- 
spiracy just detected, but that the poison had spread ; 
and that a major general, whose name was not con- 
cealed, was certainly as guilty as Arnold himself. 
This officer had enjoyed without interruption, the 
confidence of the Commander in Chief throughout 
the war ; nor did there exist a single reason in sup- 
port of the accusation. It altogether rested on the 
intelligence derived from the papers before him. 
Major Lee, personally acquainted with the accused, 
could not refrain from suggesting the probability, 
that the whole was a contrivance of Sir Henry 
Clinton, in order to destroy that confidence between 
the commander and his officers, on which the suc- 
cess of military operations depend. This suggestion, 
Washington replied, was plausible, and deserved 



464 APPENDIX. 

due consideration. It had early occured to his own 
mind, and had not been slightly regarded ; but his 
reflections settled in a conclusion not to be shaken, 
as the same suggestion applied to no officer more 
forcibly than a few days ago it would have done to 
General Arnold, known now to be a traitor. 

" Announcing this result of his meditations with 
the tone and countenance of a mind deeply agitated, 
and resolved on its course, Lee continued silent, when 
the general proceeded : I have sent for you, in the 
expectation that you have in your corps individuals 
capable and willing to undertake an indispensable, 
delicate, and hazardous project. Whoever comes 
forward on this occasion, will lay me under great 
obligations personally ; and in behalf of the United 
States, I will reward him amply. No time is to be 
lost ; he must proceed, if possible, this night. My 
object is to probe to the bottom the afflicting intel- 
ligence contained in the papers you have just read, 
to seize Arnold, and by getting him, to save Andre. 
They are all connected. While my emissary is en- 
gaged in preparing means for the seizure of Arnold, 
the guilt of others can be traced ; and the timely 
delivery of Arnold to me, will possibly put it into 
my power to restore the amiable and unfortunate 
Andre to his friends. My instructions are ready, in 
which you will find my express orders, that Arnold 
is not to be hurt ; but that he be permitted to escape, 
if to be prevented only by killing him, as his public 
punishment is the only object in view. This you can- 
not too forcibly press on whoever may engage in 
the enterprize ; and this fail not to do. With my in- 
structions are two letters, to be delivered as ordered, 
and here are some guineas for expenses. 

" Major Lee replying, said, that he had little or no 
doubt but that his legion contained many individuals 
daring enough for any operation, however peril- 
ous ; but that the one in view, required a com- 
bination of qualities not easily to be found, unless in 



APPENDIX. 465 

a commissioned officer, to whom he could not ven- 
ture to propose an enterprize, the first step to which 
was desertiou. That though tlie sergeant major of 
the cavalry, was in all respects qualified for the 
delicate and adventurous project, and to him it might 
be proposed without indelicacy, as his station did 
not interpose the obstacle before stated ; yet it was 
very probable tliat the same difliculty would occur in 
his breast, to remove which would not be easy, if 
practicable. 

^* Washington was highly pleased with finding that 
a non commissioned ofiicer was deemed capable of 
executing his views; as he had felt extreme difficulty 
in authorizing an invitation to officere, who generally 
are, and always ought to be, scrupulous and nice in 
adhering to the course of honor. He asked the name, 
the country, the age, the size, length of service, and 
character of the sergeant. 

^* Being told his name, — that he was a native of 
Loudon county in Virginia ; about twenty four yeai's 
of age, — that he had enlisted in 1776, — rather above 
the common size, full of bone and muscle with a 
saturnine countenance, grave, thoughtful and taci- 
turn, — of tried courage and inflexible perseverance, 
and as likely to reject an overture coupled with igno- 
miny as any officer in the corps ; a commission, being 
the goal of his long and anxious exertions, and cer- 
tain on the first vacancy. 

^^ The general exclaimed, that he was the very man 
for the business ; that he must undertake it ; and that 
going to the enemy by the instigation and at the re- 
quest of his officer was not desertion, though it ap- 
peared to be so ; and he enjoined that this explana- 
tion, as coming from him, should be pressed on 
Champe ; and that the vast good in prospect should 
be contrasted, with the mere semblance of doing 
wrong, which he presumed, could not fail to con- 
quer every scruple. Major Lee assured the gen- 
eral, that every exertion would be assayed on his 
59 



466 APPENDIX. 

part to execute his wishes; and taking leave, return- 
ed to the camp of the light corps, which he reached 
about eight o'clock at night. Sending instantly for 
the sergeant major, he introduced the business in the 
way best calculated, as he thought, to produce his 
concurrence ; and dilated largely on the very great 
obligations he would confer on the Commander in 
Chief, whose unchanging and active beneficence ta 
the troops had justly drawn to him their affection, 
which would be merely nominal, if, when an opportu- 
nity should offer to any individual of contributing to 
the promotion of his views, that opportunity was not 
zealously embraced. That the one now presented to 
him had never before occurred, and in all probability 
would never occur again, even should the war continue 
for ages ; it being most rare for these distinct conse- 
quences, all of primary weight, to be comprised within 
a single operation, and that operation necessarily to be 
entrusted to one man, who would want but one or two 
associates in the active part of its execution. That the 
chance of detection became extremely narrow, and 
consequently that of success enlarged. That by suc- 
ceeding in the safe delivery of Arnold, he not only 
gratified his general in the most acceptable man- 
ner, but he would be hailed as the avenger of the 
reputation of the army, stained by foul and wicked 
perfidy ; and what could not but be highly pleasing, 
he would be the instrument of saving the life of 
Major Andre, soon to be brought before a court of 
inquiry, the decision of which could not be doubted, 
from the universally known circumstances of the case, 
and had been anticipated in the general's instructions. 
That by investigating with diligence and accuracy 
the intelligence communicated to him, he would 
bring to light new guilt, or he would relieve inno- 
cence, as was most probable, from distrust ; quieting 
the torturing suspicions which now harrowed the 
mind of Washington, and restoring again to his con- 
fidence a once honored general, possessing it at 



APPENDIX. 467 

present only ostensibly, as well as hush doubts affect- 
ing many of his brother soldiers. 

^' In short, the accomplishment of so much good was 
in itself too attractive to be renounced by a generous 
mind ; and when connected with the recollection of 
the high honor which the selection shed on him as a 
soldier, he ought not, — he must ' not pause. The 
discourse was followed by a detail of the plan, with a 
wish that he would enter on its execution instantly. 
Champe listened with deep attention, and with a 
highly excited countenance ; the pertu*rbations of his 
breast not being hid even by his dark visage. He 
briefly, and modestly replied, that no soldier exceeded 
him in respect and affection for the Commander in 
Chief, to serve whom he would willingly lay down his 
life ; and that he was sensible of the honor conferred 
by the choice of him for the execution of a project all 
over arduous ; nor could he be at a loss to know to 
whom was to be ascribed the preference bestowed, 
which he took pleasure in acknowledging, though in- 
creasing obligations before great and many. 

** That he was charmed with the plan. Even its 
partial success would lead to great good ; as it would 
give peace to the general's mind, and do justice, as 
he hoped, to innocence. Full success, added power- 
ful and delicious personal incitements, as well as the 
gratification of the general and army. He was not, 
he said, deterred by the danger and dijQiculty which 
was evidently to be encountered, but he was deterred 
by the ignominy of desertion, to be followed by the 
hypocrisy of enlisting with the enemy ; neither of 
which comported with his feelings, and either placed 
an insuperable bar in his way to promotion. 

" He concluded by observing, if any mode could 
be contrived free from disgrace, he would cordially 
embark in the enterprize. As it was, he prayed to 
be excused ; and hoped that services, always the best 
in his power to perform, faithfully executed, did en- 
title his prayer to success. The objections at first 



468 APPENDIX. 

apprehended, now to be combated; were extended 
to a consequence which had not suggested itself. Lee 
candidly admitted that he had expected the lirst ob- 
jection made, and that only ; which had been im- 
parted to the genera], who gave to it full considera- ' 
tion, and concluded by declaring, that the crime of 
desertion was not' incurred ; as no act done by the 
soldier at the request of the Commander in Chief 
could be considered as desertion, and that an ac- 
tion so manifestly praiseworthy as that to be per- 
formed, when known would dissipate by its own 
force the reflections excited by appearances, which 
no doubt would be acrimonious, leaving the actor in 
full enjoyment of the future rich rewards of his 
virtue. That the reflecting mind ought not to balance 
between the achievement of so much good, and the 
doing wrong in semblance only ; to which Major Lee 
subjoined, that when in consequence of the general's 
call on him for a soldier capable and willing to ex- 
ecute a project so tempting to the brave, he con- 
sidered himself and corps highly honored ; and that 
he should consider himself reduced to a mortifying 
condition, if the resistance to the undertaking com- 
pelled him to inform the general that he must recur 
to some other corps to provide an agent to execute 
this necessary and bold enterprize. 

*' He entreated the sergeant to ask himself what 
must be the sensations of his comrades, if a soldier 
from some other corps should execute the enterprize, 
when they should be told that the glory transferred 
to the regiment of which he was one, might have 
been enjoyed by the legion, had not sergeant Champe 
shrunk from the overture made to him by his general, 
rather than reject scruples too narrow and confined 
to be permitted to interfere with grand and virtuous 
deeds. The esprit du corps could not be resisted, 
and united to his inclination, it subdued his preju- 
dices, and he declared his willingness to conform to 
the wishes of the general ; relying, as he confidently 



APPENDIX. 4(>9 

did, that his reputation wo\ilcl be protected by those 
wlio had induced him to undertake the enterprize, 
should he be unfortunate in the attempt. 

"The instructions were read to him^ and every 
distinct object presented plainly to his view, of which 
he took notes so disguised as to be understood only 
by himself. He was particularly cautioned to use 
the utmost circumspection in delivering his letters, 
and to take care to withhold from the two individuals, 
addressed under feigned names, knowledge of each 
other ; for though both had long been in the con- 
fidence of the general, yet it was not known by one 
that the other was so engaged. 

"He was further urged, to bear in constant recol- 
lection the solemn injunction so pointedly expressed 
in the instructions to Major Lee, of forbearing to 
kill Arnold in any condition of things. 

^^This part of the business being finished, the 
major's and sergeant's deliberation were turned to 
the manner of the latter's desertion ; for it was 
well known to both, that to pass the numerous pa- 
troles of horse and foot crossing from the stationary 
guards, was itself difficult, which was now rendered 
more so by parties thrown occasionally beyond the 
place called Liberty Pole, as well as by swarms of 
irregulars, induced sometimes to venture down to 
the very point of Paulus' Hook with the hope of 
picking up booty. Evidently discernible as were the 
difficulties in the vvay, no relief could be administer- 
ed by Major Lee, lest it might induce a belief that 
he was privy to the desertion, which opinion getting 
to the enemy would involve the life of Champe. 
The sergeant was left to his own resources and to his 
own management, with the declared determination 
that in case his departure should be discovered be- 
fore morning, Lee would take care to delay pursuit 
as long as was practicable. 

" Giving to the sergeant three guineas, and pre- 
senting his best wishes, he recommended him to start 



470 APPENDIX. 

without delay, and enjoined hira to communicate his 
arrival in New York as soon thereafter as might be 
practicable. Champe pulling out his watch, compar- 
ed it with the major's, reminding the latter of the im- 
portance of holding back pursuit, which he was con- 
vinced would take place in the course of the nighty 
and which might be fatal, as he knew that he should 
be obliged to zigzag in order to avoid the patroles, 
which would consume time. It was now nearly 
eleven. The sergeant returned to camp, and taking 
his cloak, valice and orderly book, he drew his horse 
from the picket, and mounting him put himself on 
fortune. Lee charmed with his expeditious consum- 
mation of the first part of the enterprize, retired to 
rest. Useless attempt ! the past scene could not be 
obliterated ; and, indeed, had that been practicable, 
the interruption which ensued would have stopped 
repose. 

Within half an hour Captain Carnes, officer of the 
day, waited on the major, and with considerable 
emotion told him that one of the patrole had fallen 
in with a dragoon, who, being challenged, put spur 
to his horse, and escaped, though instantly pursued. 
Lee complaining of the interruption, and pretending 
to be extremely fatigued by his ride to and from 
head quarters, answered as if he did not understand 
what had been said, which compelled the captain to 
repeat it. Who can the fellow that was pursued be? 
inquired the major ; adding, a countryman, proba- 
bly. No, replied the captain, the patrole sufficiently 
distinguished him to know that he was a dragoon ; 
probably one from the army, if not certainly one of 
our own. This idea was ridiculed from its impro- 
bability, as during the whole war but a single dra- 
goon had deserted from the legion. This did not 
convince Carnes, so much stress was it now the fash- 
ion to lay on the desertion of Arnold, and the proba- 
ble effect of his example. The captain withdrew to 
examine the squadron of horse, whom he had order- 



APPENDIX. 471 

ed to assemble in pursuance of established usage 
on similar occasions. Very quickly he returned, 
stating that the scoundrel was known, and was no 
less a person than the sergeant major, who was 
gone off with his horse, baggage, arms and orderly 
book, — so presumed, as neither the one nor the 
other could be found. Sensibly affected at the sup- 
posed baseness of a soldier extremely respected, the 
captain added that he had ordered a party to make 
ready for pursuit, and begged the major's written 
orders. 

" Occasionally this discourse was interrupted, and 
every idea suggested which the excellent character 
of the sergeant warranted, to induce the suspicion 
that he had not deserted, but had taken the liberty 
to leave camp with a view to personal pleasure ; an 
example, said Lee, too often set by the officers 
themselves, destructive as it was of discipline, op- 
posed as it was to orders, and disastrous as it might 
prove to the corps in the course of service. 

" Some little delay was thus interposed ; but it 
being now announced that the pursuing party was 
ready. Major Lee directed a change in the officer, 
saying that he had a particular service in view, which 
he had determined to entrust to the lieutenant ready 
for duty, and which probably must be performed in 
the morning. He therefore directed him to summon 
Cornet Middleton for the present command. Lee 
was induced thus to act, first to add to the delay, 
and next from his knowledge of the tenderness of 
Middleton's disposition, which he hoped would lead 
to the protection of Champe, should he be taken. 
Within ten minutes Middleton appeared to receive 
his orders, which were delivered to him made out 
in the customary form, and signed by the major. 
^^ Pursue so far as you can with safety sergeant 
Champe, who is suspected of deserting to the enemy, 
and has taken the road leading to Paulus' Hook, 
Bring him alive^ that he may suffer in the presence 



472 ' APPENDIX. 

of the army, but kill him if he resists, or escapes 
after being taken." 

^^ Detaining the cornet a few minutes longer in 
advising him what course to pursue, — urging him to 
take care of the horse and accoutrements, if recover- 
ed, — and enjoining him to be on his guard, lest he 
might, by his eager pursuit, improvidently fall into 
the hands of the enemy, — the major dismissed Mid- 
dleton, wishing him success. A shower of rain fell 
soon after Champe's departure, which enabled the 
pursuing dragoons to take the trail of his horse ; 
knowing, as officer and trooper did, the make of their 
shoes, whose impression was an unerring guide.* 

^^ When Middleton departed, it was a few minutes 
past twelve, so that Champe had only the start of 
rather more than an hour, — by no means so long as 
was desired. Lee became very unhappy, not only 
because the estimable and gallant Champe might be 
injured, but lest the enterprize might be delayed ; 
and he spent a sleepless night. The pursuing party 
during the night, was, on their part, delayed by the 
necessary halts to examine occasionally the road, as 
the impression of the horse's shoes directed their 
course : this was unfortunately too evident, no other 
horse having passed along the road since the shower. 
When the day broke, Middleton was no longer forced 
to halt, and he passed on with rapidity. Ascending 
an eminence before he reached the Three Pigeons, 
some miles on the north of the village of Bergen, as 
the pursuing party reached its summit, Champe was 
descried not more than half a mile in f^'ont. Resem- 
bling an Indian in his vigilance, the sergeant at th« 
same moment discovered the party, to whose object 
he was no stranger, and giving spur to his horse, he 
determined to outstrip his pursuers. Middleton at 

* The horses being all shod by our own farriers, the shoes were made 
in the same form ; which, with a private mark annexed to the fore 
shoes, and known to the iroopers, pointed out the trail of our dragoons 
to each otlier. which was often very useful. 



APPENDIX. 473 

the same instant put his horses to the top of their 
speed ; and being, as the legion all were, well ac- 
quainted with the country, he recollected a short 
route through the woods to the bridge below Hergen, 
which diverged from the great road just after you 
gain the Three Pigeons. Reaching the point of 
separation, he halted, and dividing his party, direct- 
ed a sergeant with a few dragoons to take the near 
cut, and possess with all possible despatch the bridge, 
while he with the residue, followed Champe ; not 
doubting but that Champe must deliver himself up, 
as he would be enclosed between himself and his 
sergeant. Champe did not forget the short cut, and 
would have taken it himself, but he knew it was the 
usual route of our parties when returning in the day 
from the neighborhood of the enemy, properly pre- 
ferring the woods to the road. He consequently 
avoided it; and pursuaded that Middleton would 
avail himself of it, wisely resolved to relinquish his 
intention of getting to Paul us' Hook, and to seek 
refuge from two British galleys, laying a few miles 
to the west of Bergen. 

^"'This was a station always occupied by one or two 
galleys, and which it was known now lay there. En- 
tering the village of Bergen, Champe turned to his 
right and disguising his change of course as much 
as he could by taking the beaten streets, turning as 
they turned, he passed through the village and took 
the road towards Elizabethtown Point. Middleton's 
sergeant gained the bridge, where he concealed him- 
self, ready to pounce on Champe, when he came up; 
and Middleton, pursuing his course through Bergen, 
soon got also to the bridge, when, to his extreme 
mortification, he found that the sergeant had slipped 
through his fingers. Returning up the road, he 
inquired of the villagers of Bergen, whether a dra- 
goon had been seen that morning preceding his party. 
He was answered in the afiirmative, but could learn 
nothing satisfactory as to the route he had taken. 
60 



474 APPENDIX. 

While engaged in inquiries himself, he spread his 
party through the village to strike the trail of 
Champe's horse, a resort always recurred to. Some 
of his dragoons hit it, just as the sergeant, leaving 
the village, got in the road to the point. Pursuit 
was renewed with vigor, and again Champe was des- 
cried. He, apprehending the event, had prepared 
himself for it, by lashing his valice containing his 
clothes and orderly book, on his shoulders, and hold- 
ing his drawn sword in his hand, having thrown 
away its scabbard. This he did to save what was 
indispensable to him, and to prevent any interruption 
to his swimming from the scabbard, sliould Middle- 
ton, as he presumed, when disappointed at the bridge, 
take the measures adopted by him. The pursuit 
was rapid and close, as the stop occasioned by the 
sergeant's preparations for swimming had brought 
MIddleton within two or three hundred yards. As 
soon as Champe got abreast of the galleys, he dis- 
mounted, and running through the marsh to the 
river, plunged into it, calling on the galleys for help. 
This was readily given ; they fired on our horse, and 
sent a boat to meet Champe, who was taken in and 
carried on board, and conveyed to New York with 
a letter from the captain of the galley, stating the 
past scene, all of which he had seen. 

'• The horse with his equipments, the sergeant's 
cloak and sword scabbard, were recovered ; the 
sword itself, being held by Champe till he plunged 
into the river, was lost, as Middleton found it neces- 
sary to retire without searching for it. 

" About three o'clock in the evening our party 
returned, and the soldiers, seeing the horse, well 
known to them, in our possession, made the air re- 
sound with exclamations that the scoundrel was killed. 

'• Major Lee, called by this heart rending annun- 
ciation from his tent, saw the sergeant's horse led by 
one of Middleton's dragoons, and began to reproach 
himself with the blood of the highly prized, faithful, 



APPENDIX. 475 

and intrepid Champe. Stifling his agony, he ad- 
vanced to meet Middleton, and became somewhat 
relieved as soon as he got near enough to discern the 
countenance of his officer and party. There was 
evidence in their looks of disappointment, and he 
was quickly relieved by Middleton's information that 
the sergeant had effected his escape with the loss of 
his horse, and narrated the particulars just recited. 

'' Lee's joy was now as full, as the moment before, 
his torture had been excruciating. Never was a 
happier conclusion. The sergeant escaped unhurt, 
carrying with him to the enemy undeniable testimony 
of the sincerity of his desertion, — cancelling every 
apprehension before entertained, lest the enemy might 
suspect him of being what he really was. 

" Major Lee imparted to the Commander in Chief 
the occurrence, v^'ho was sensibly affected by the 
hair breadth escape of Champe, and anticipated with 
pleasure the good effect sure to follow the enemy's 
knowledge of its manner. 

" On the fourth day after Champe's departure, 
Lee received a letter from him, written the day be- 
fore in a disguised hand, v^^ithout any signature, and 
stating what had passed, after he got on board the 
galley, where he was kindly received. 

" He was carried to the commandant of New York 
as soon as he arrived, and presented the letter ad- 
dressed to this officer from the captain of the galley. 
Being asked to what corps he belonged, and a few 
other common questions, he was sent under care of an 
orderly sergeant, to the adjutant general, who, finding 
that he was sergeant major of the legion of horse, 
heretofore remarkable for their fidelity, he began to 
interrogate him. He was told by Champe, that such 
was the spirit of defection which prevailed among 
the American troops in consequence of Arnold's ex- 
ample, that he had no doubt, if the temper v.as pro- 
perly cherished, Washington's ranks would not only 
be greatly thinned, but that some of his best corps 



476 APPENDIX. 

would leave him. To this conclusion, the sergeant 
said, he was led by his own observations, and es- 
pecially by his knowledge of the discontents which 
agitated the corps to whicli he had belonged. His 
size, place of birth, his form, countenance, color of 
his hair, the corps in which he had served, with 
other remarks in conformity to the British usage, was 
noted in a large folio book. After this was finished, 
he was sent to the Commander in Chief, in charge of 
one of the staff, with a letter from the adjutant gen- 
eral. Sir Henry Clinton treated him very kindly, 
and detained him more than an hour, asking him 
many questions, all leading, — first to know to what 
extent this spirit of defection might be pushed by 
proper incitements, — what were the most operating 
incitements, — whether any general officers were sus- 
pected by Washington as concerned in Arnold's con- 
spiracy, or any other officers of note ; — who they 
were, and whether the troops approved or censured 
Washington's suspicions, — whether his popularity in 
the army was sinking, or continued stationary. What 
was Major Andre's situation, — whether any change 
had taken place in the manner of his confinement, — 
what was the current opinion of his probable fate, — 
and whether it was thought Washington would treat 
him as a spy. To these various interrogations, some 
of which were perplexing, Champe answered warily ; 
exciting, nevertheless, hopes " that the adoption of 
proper measures to encourage desertion, of which he 
could not pretend to form an opinion, would certainly 
bring off hundreds of the American soldiers, includ- 
ing some of the best troops, horse as well as foot. 
Respecting the fate of Andre, he said he was igno- 
rant, though there appeared to be a general wish in 
the army that his life should not be taken ; and that 
he believed it would depend more on the disposition 
of Congress, than on the will of Washington. 

" After this long conversation ended, Sir Henry 
presented Champe with a couple of guineas, and re- 



APPENDIX. 477 

commended him to wait on General Arnold, who 
was engaged in raising an American legion in the 
service of his majesty. He directed one of his aids to 
write to Arnold by Champe, stating who he was, and 
what he had said about the disposition in the army 
to follow his example, which was very soon done ; 
it was given to the orderly attending on Champe, to 
be presented with the deserter to General Arnold. 
Arnold expressed much satisfaction on hearing from 
Champe, the manner of his escape, and the eifect of 
Arnold's example ; and concluded his numerous in- 
quiries by assigning quarters to tiie sergeant, — the 
same as were occupied by his recruiting sergeants. 

^^ He also proposed to Champe to join his legion, 
telling him he could give to him the same station he 
had held in the rebel service, and promising fur- 
ther advancement when merited. Expressing his 
wish to retire from war, and his conviction of the 
certainty of his l)eing hung if ever taken by the re- 
bels, he begged to be excused from enlistment ; 
assuring the general, that should he change his mind, 
he would certainly accept his oiTer. Retiring to the 
assigned quarters, Champe now turned his attention 
to the delivery of his letters, which he could not 
effect till the next night, and then only to one of the 
two incogniti to whom he was recommended. This 
man received the sergeant with extreme attention, and 
having read the letter, assured Champe that he might 
rely on his faithful co-operation in doing every thing 
in his power consistently with his safety, to guard 
which required the utmost prudence and circum- 
spection. The sole object in which the aid of this 
individual was required, regarded the general and 
others of our army, implicated in the information 
sent to Washington by him. To this object Champe 
urged his attention, assuring him Qf the solicitude it 
had excited, and telling him that its speedy investi- 
gation had induced the general to send him into 
New York. Promising to enter on it with zeal, and 



478 APPENDIX. 

engaging to send out Champe's letters to Major Lee, 
lie fixed the time and place for their next meeting, 
when they separated. 

"'• Lee made known to the general what had been 
transmitted to him by Champe, and received in 
answer directions to press Champe to the expeditious 
conclusion of his mission, as the fate of Andre would 
be soon decided, when little or no delay could be 
admitted in executing whatever sentence the court 
might decree. The same messenger who brought 
Champe's letter, returned with the ordered commu- 
nication. Five days had nearly elapsed after reach- 
ing New York, before Champe savv the confidant to 
whom only the attempt against Arnold was to be en- 
trusted. This person entered with promptitude into 
the design, promising his cordial assistance. To pro- 
cure a proper associate to Champe was the first object, 
and this he promised to do with all possible despatch. 
Furnishing a conveyance to Lee we again heard from 
Champe, who stated w^hat I have related, with the 
additional intelligence that he had that morning, the 
last of September, been appointed one of Arnold's 
recruiting sergeants, having enlisted the day before 
with Arnold ; and that he was induced to take this 
afilicting step, for the purpose of securing uninter- 
rupted ingress and egress to the house which the 
general occupied, it being indispensable to a speedy 
conclusion of the difficult enterprize which the in- 
formation he had just received had so forcibly urged. 
He added, that the difiicultiesin his way were nume- 
rous and stubborn, and that his prospect of success 
was by no means cheering. With respect to the 
additional treason, he asserted that he had every 
reason to believe that it was groundless; that the 
report took its rise in the enemy's camp, and that 
he hoped soon to clear up this matter satisfactorily. 
The pleasure which the last part of this communica- 
tion afforded was damped by the tidings it imparted 
respecting Arnold, as on his speedy delivery de- 



APPENDIX. 479 

pended Andre's relief. The interposition of Sir 
Henry Clinton, who was extremely anxious to save 
his much loved aid de camp, still continued ; and it 
was expected the examination of witnesses and the 
defence of tlie prisoner, would protract the decision 
of the court of inquiry, now assembled, and give 
sufficient time for the consummation of the project 
committed to Ciiampc. A complete disappointment 
took place from a quarter unforeseen, and unexpect- 
ed. The honorable and accomplished Andre, know- 
ing his guilt, disdained defence, and prevented the 
examination of witnesses, by confessing the character 
in which he stood. On the next day, the 2d of 
October, the court again assembled, when every 
doubt that could possibly arise in the case having 
been removed by the previous confession, Andre was 
declared to be a spy, and condemned to suffer accord- 
ingly- 

^•The sentence was executed on the subsequent 
day in the usual form, the Commander in Chief 
deeming it improper to interpose any delay. In this 
decision he was warranted by the very unpromising 
intelligence received from Champe, — by the still ex- 
isting implication of other officers in Arnold's con- 
spiracy, — by a due regard to public opinion, — and 
by real tenderness to the condemned. 

^^Neither Congress nor the nation could have been 
with propriety informed of the cause of the delay, 
and without such information it must have excited in 
both, alarm and suspicion. Andre himself could not 
have been entrusted with the secret, and would con- 
sequently have attributed the unlooked for event to 
the expostulation and exertion of Sir Henry Clinton, 
which would not fail to produce in his breast expec- 
tations of ultimate relief; to excite which would 
have been cruel, as the realization of such expecta- 
tion depended only on a possible but improbable con- 
tingency. The fate of Andre hastened by himself, 
deprived the enterprize committed to Champe of a 



'»*^ 



480 APPENDIX. 

feature which had been highly prized by its projec- 
tor, and which had very much engaged the heart of 
the individual chosen to execute it. 

" Washington ordered Major Lee to communicate 
what had passed to the sergeant, with directions to 
encourage him to prosecute with unrelaxed vigor 
the remaining objects of his instructions, but to inter- 
mit haste in the execution only so far as was compati- 
ble with final success. 

"This was accordingly done, by the first oppor^ 
tunity, in the manner directed. Champe deplored 
the sad necessity which occured, and candidly con- 
fessed that the hope of enabling Washington to save 
the life of Andre, who had been the subject of uni- 
versal commiseration in the American camp, greatly 
contributed to remove the serious difficulties which 
opposed his acceding to the proposition when first 
propounded. Some documents accompanied this com- 
munication, tending to prove the innocence of the 
accused general ; they were completely satisfactory 
and did credit to the discrimination, zeal and diligence 
of the sergeant. Lee enclosed them immediately 
to the Commander in Chief, who was pleased to ex- 
press the satisfaction he derived from the information, 
and to order the major to wait on him the next day ; 
when the whole subject was reexamined, and the 
distrust heretofore entertained of the accused was 
forever dismissed.* Nothing now remained to be 
done but the seizure and safe delivery of Arnold. 
To this object Champe gave his undivided attention; 
and on the 19th October, Major Lee received from 

*Copy of a letter from General Washington to Major Lee, in his 
own hand writing, dated, October 23d, 1780. 

Dkar Sir, — I am very glad your letter of this date has given strength 
to my conviction of the innocence of the gentleman who was the sub- 
ject of your inquiry. I want to see you on a particular piece of busi- 
ness. If the day is fair, and nothing of consequence intervenes, I will 
be at the marquis' quarters at ten o'clock tomorrow. If this should 
not happen, I shall be glad to see you at head quarters. 

I am, dear Sir, your most obedient servant, 

G. Washington. 



APPENDIX. 481 

him a very particular account of the progress he had 
made, with the outHnes of his plan. This was, with- 
out delay, submitted to Washington ; with a request 
for a few additional guineas. The general's letter* 
written on the same day, 20th October, evinces his 
attention to the minutiae of business, as well as his 
immutable determination to possess Arnold alive, or 
not at all. This was his original injunction, which he 
never omitted to enforce on every proper occasion. 

'' Major Lee had an opportunity, in the course of 
the week, of writing to Champe, when he told him 
that the rewards which he had promised to his asso- 
ciates would be certainly paid on the delivery of 
Arnold ; and in the mean time, small sums of money 
would be furnished for casual expenses, it being 
deemed improper that he should appear with much, 
lest it might lead to suspicion and detection. That 

* Copy of a letter from General Washington (o Major Lee in his own 
hand writing. Head Quarters, October 20th, 1780. 

Dear Sir, — The plan proposed for taking A — d, the outlines of 
which are communicated in your letter, which was this moment put 
into ray hands witliout date, has every mark of a good one. I there- 
fore agree to the promised rewards ; and have such entire confidence 
in your management of the business, as to give it my fullest approbation ; 
and leave the whole to the guidance of your own judgment, with this 
express stipulation and pointed injunction, that he, A — d, is brought 
to me alive. 

No circumstance whatever, shall obtain my consent to his being put 
to death. The idea which would accompany such an event, would be 
that ruffians had been hired to assassinate him. My aim is to make a 
public example of him; and tliis should be strongly impressed on those 
who are employed to bring him off. The sergeant must be very cir- 
cumspect; — too much zeal may create suspicion, — and too much pre- 
cipitancy may defeat the project. The most inviolable secrecy must be 
observed on all hands. 1 send you tive guineas ; but I am not satisfied 
of the propriety of the sergeant's appearing with much specie. This 
circumstance may also lead to suspicion, as it is but too well known to 
the enemy, that we do not abound in this article. 

The interviews between the party in and out of the city, should be 
managed with much caution and seeming indifference ; or else the 
frequency of their meetings, &c. may betray the design, and involve 
bad consequences ; but I am persuaded you will place every matter in 
a proper point of view, to the conductors of this interesting business, 
and therefore I shall only add, that 

I am, dear Sir, &c. &c. 

G. WASHIIfGTOIT. 

61 



^K^ 



482 APPENDIX. 

live guineas were now sent, and that more would 
follow when absolutely necessary. 

'^ Ten days elapsed before Champe bronglit his 
measures to conclusion, when Lee received from him 
his final communication, appointing the third subse- 
quent night for a party of dragoons to meet him at 
Hoboken, when he hoped to deliver Arnold to the 
officer. Champe had, from his enlistment into the 
American legion, Arnold's corps, every opportunity 
he could wish, to attend to the habits of the general. 
He discovered that it was his custom to return home 
about twelve every night, and that previous to going 
to bed he always visited the garden. During this 
visit the conspirators were to seize him, and being 
prepared with a gag, intended to have applied the 
same instantly. 

*' Adjoining the house in which Arnold resided, 
and in which it was designed to seize and gag him, 
Champe had taken off several of the palings and re- 
placed them, so that with care and without noise he 
could readily open his way to the adjoining alley. 
Into this alley he meant to have conveyed his pris- 
oner, aided by his companion, one of two associates 
who had been introduced by the friend to whom 
Champe had been originally made known by letter 
from the Commander in Chief, and with whose aid 
and counsel he had so far conducted the enterprize. 
His other associate was with the boat prepared at 
one of the wharves on the Hudson river, to receive 
the party. 

^^ Champe and his fi'iend intended to have placed 
themselves each under Arnold's shoulder, and to 
have thus borne him through the most unfrequented 
alleys and streets to the boat ; representing Arnold, 
in case of being questioned, as a drunken soldier 
whom they were conveying to the guard house. 

" When arrived at the boat, the difficulties would 
be all surmounted, there being no danger nor obstacle 
in passing to the Jersey shore. These particulars,. 



APPENDIX. 483 

SO soon as known to Lee, were communicated to the 
Commander in Chief, who was highly gratified with 
the much desired intelligence. He directed Major 
Lee to meet Champe, and to take care that Arnold 
should not be hurt. The day arrived, and Lee 
with a party of dragoons left camp late in the even- 
ing, witii three led accoutred horses ; one for Arnold, 
one for the sergeant, and the third for his associate, 
never doubting the success of the enterprize, from the 
tenor of the last received communication. The party 
reached Hoboken about midnight, where they were 
concealed in the adjoining wood, — Lee with three 
dragoons stationing himself near the river shore. 
Hour after hour passed, — no boat approached. At 
length the day broke and the major retired to his 
party, and with his led horses returned to camp, 
when he proceeded to head quarters to inform the 
general of the much lamented disappointment, as 
mortifying as inexplicable. Washington having pe- 
rused Champe's plan and communication, had in- 
dulged the presumption that at length the object of 
his keen and constant pursuit was sure of execution, 
and did not dissemble the joy such conviction pro- 
duced. He was chagrined at the issue, and appre- 
hended that his faithful sergeant must have been de- 
tected in the last scene of his tedious and difficult 
enterprize. 

" In a few days Lee received an anonymous letter 
from Champe's patron and friend, informing him that 
on the day preceding the night fixed for the execu- 
tion of the plot, Arnold had removed his quarters to 
another part of the town, to superintend the embark- 
ation of troops, preparing, as was rumored, for an 
expedition to be directed by himself; and that the 
American legion, consisting chiefly of American de- 
serters, had been transferred from their barracks to 
one of the transports ; it being apprehended that if 
left on shore till the expedition was ready, many of 
them might desert. Thus it happened that John 



484 APPENDIX. 

Champe, instead of crossing the Hudson that night, 
was safely deposited on board one of the fleet of 
transports, whence he never departed till the troops 
under Arnold landed in Virginia ! nor was he able 
to escape from the British army till after the junction 
of Lord Cornwallis at Petersburg, when he deserted, 
and proceeding high up into Virginia, he passed into 
North Carolina, near the Sama towns, and keeping 
in the friendly districts of that state, safely joined 
the army soon after it had passed the Congaree in 
pursuit of Lord Rawdon. 

^* His appearance excited extreme surprize among 
his former comrades, which was not a little increased 
when they saw the cordial reception he met with 
from the late major now Lieutenant Colonel Lee. 
His whole story soon became known to the corps, 
which reproduced the love and respect of officer and 
soldier, heretofore invariably entertained for the ser- 
geant, heightened by universal admiration of his late 
daring and arduous attempt. 

^' Champe was introduced to General Greene, who 
very cheerfully complied with the promises made by 
the Commander in Chief, so far as in his power ; and 
having provided the sergeant with a good horse and 
money for his journey, sent him to General Wash- 
ington, who munificently anticipated every desire 
of the sergeant and presented him with his discharge 
from further service,* lest he might in the vicissi- 
tudes of war, fall into the enemy's hands ; when, if 
recognized, he was sure to die on a gibbet." 

* When General Washington was callfd by President Adams to the 
command of the army, prepared to defend the country from French 
hostility, he sent to Lieutenant Colonel Lee, to inquire for Champe ; 
being determined to bring him into the Held at the head of a company of 
infantry. 

Lee sent to Loudon count}', where Champe settled after his dis- 
charge from the armj' ; when he learned that the gallant soldier had 
removed to Kentucky, where he soon after died. 



BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 



MAJOR GEJVERAL ISRAEL PUT^JM. 

The life of this patriot and hero has been por- 
trayed by the able and impartial hand of the late 
General David Humphreys, and a brief sketch, 
chiefly from that work, must suJBice for the present 
purpose. General Putnam was born at Salem, Mas- 
sachusetts, on the 7th day of January, 1718. He 
was indebted to nature, more than education, for a 
vigorous constitution, for mental endowments, and 
for tliat undaunted courage, and active enterprize 
which were his prominent characteristics. Much 
confidence was reposed in his military prowess and 
judgment, and he was remarkable for a faithful per- 
severance in all the duties of his station, and for the 
most undeviating principles of honor, humanity and 
benevolence. In the year 1739, he removed to 
Pomfret, in Connecticut, where he applied himself 
to the art of agriculture. His biographer, as a dis- 
play of character in early life, has recorded an 
instance of his bold attack of a wolf while in her den ; 
but as the story has been frequently promulgated it 
need not be repeated in this place. When in the 
year 1755, the war between England and France 
broke out in America, Putnam was appointed to the 
command of a company of rangers, and was distin- 
guished for his active services as a partizan officer. 
In 1757, he was promoted to a majority, and being 
in a warm and close engagement, with a party of 



486 APPENDIX. 

French and savages, he had discharged his fuzee 
several times, when at length it missed fire while the 
muzzle was pressed against the breast of a large and 
well jDroportioned Indian. This adversary, with a 
tremendous war-whoop, sprang forward with his lifted 
hatchet and compelled him to surrender ; and having 
bound him fast to a tree returned to the battle. For 
a considerable time the tree to which Major Putnam 
was tied was directly between the fires of the two 
parties, than which no conceivable situation could be 
more deplorable. The balls flew incessantly from 
each side, many struck the tree, while some passed 
through the sleeves and skirts of his coat. In this 
state of jeopardy, unable to move his body, to stir 
his limbs, or even to incline his head, he remained 
more than an hour. So equally balanced, and so 
obstinate was the fight ! At one moment, while the 
battle swerved in favor of the enemy, a young savage 
chose an odd way of discovering his humor. He 
found Putnam bound. He mij^ht have despatched 
him at a blow. But he loved better to excite the 
terrors of the prisoner by hurling a tomahawk at 
his head, or rather it should seem his object was to 
see how near he could throw it without touching 
him. — The weapon struck in the tree a number of 
times at a hairs breadth from the mark. When the 
Indian had finished his amusement, a French bas- 
oflicer, a much more inveterate savage by nature, 
though descended from so humane and polished a 
nation, perceiving Putnam, came to him, and, level- 
ing a fuzee within a foot of his breast, attempted to 
discharge it, — it missed fire. InefTectually did the 
intended victim solicit the treatment due to his situ- 
ation, by repeating that he was a prisoner of war. 
The degenerate Frenchman did not understand the 
language of honor or of nature : deaf to their voice, 
and dead to sensibility, he violently and repeatedly 
pushed the muzzle of his gun against Putnam's ribs, 
and finally gave him a cruel blow on the jaw with 



APPENDIX. 487 

the butt end of Iiis piece. After this dastardly deed 
he left him. 

At length the enemy was driven from the field of 
battle, and as they were retiring Putnam was untied 
by the Indian who had made him prisoner, and 
whom he afterwards called master. Having been 
conducted to some distance from the place of action, 
he was stripped of his coat, vest, stockings and shoes; 
loaded with as many of the packs of the wounded as 
could be piled on him, strongly pinioned, and his wrists 
tied as closely together as they could be pulled with 
a cord. After he had marched through no pleasant 
paths, in this painful manner, for many a tedious 
mile, the party, who were excessively fatigued, 
halted to breathe. His hands were now immoder- 
ately swelled from the tightness of the ligature ; and 
the pain had become intolerable. His feet were so 
much scratched, that the blood dropped fast from 
them. Exhausted with bearing a burden above his 
strength, and frantic with torments exquisite beyond 
endurance, he entreated the Irish interpreter to im- 
plore as the last and only grace he desired of the 
savages, that they would knock him on the head and 
take his scalp at once, or loose his hands. A French 
officer, instantly interposing, ordered his hands to be 
unbound, and some of the packs to be taken off. By 
this time the Indian who captured him and had been 
absent with the wounded, coming up, gave him a pair 
of moccasons, and expressed great indignation at the 
unworthy treatment his prisoner had suffered. 

That savage chief again returned to the care of the 
wounded, and the Indians, about two hundred in num- 
ber, went before the rest of the party to the place 
where the whole were that night to encamp. They 
took with them Major Putnam, on whom, besides 
innumerable other outrages, they had the barbarity 
to inflict a deep wound with the tomahawk in the 
left cheek. His suiferings were in this place to be 
consummated. A scene of horror, infinitely greater 



488 APPENDIX. 

than had ever met his eyes before, was now prepar- 
ing. It was determined to roast him alive. For this 
purpose they led him into a dark forest, stripped him 
naked, bound him to a tree, and piled dry brush, 
with other fuel, at a small distance, in a circle round 
him. They accompanied their labors, as if for his 
funeral dirge, with screams and sounds, inimitable 
but by savage voices. Then they set the piles on 
fire. A sudden shower damped the rising flame. 
Still they strove to kindle it, at last the blaze ran 
fiercely round the circle. Major Putnam soon began 
to feel the scorching heat. His hands were so tied 
that he could move his body. He often shifted sides 
as the fire approached. This sight, at the very idea 
of which, all but savages must shudder, afforded the 
highest diversion to his inhuman tormentors, who 
demonstrated the delirium of their joy by corres- 
pondent yells, dances and gesticulations. He saw 
clearly that his final hour was inevitably come. He 
summoned all his resolution, and composed his mind, 
so far as" the circumstances could admit, to bid an 
eternal farewell to all he held most dear. To quit 
the world would scarcely have cost a single pang ; 
but for the idea of home, but for the remembrance 
of domestic endearments, of the affectionate partner 
of his soul, and of their beloved offspring. His 
thought was ultimately fixed on a happier state of 
existence, beyond the tortures he was beginning to 
endure. The bitterness of death, even of that death 
which is accompanied with the keenest agonies, was, 
in a manner, past — nature, with a feeble struggle, 
was quitting its last hold on sublunary things — when 
a French officer rushed through the crowd, opened 
a way by scattering the burning brands, and un- 
bound the victim. It was Molang himself — to whom 
a savage, unwilling to see another human victim im- 
molated, had run and communicated the tidings. 
That commandant spurned and severely reprimanded 
the barbarians, whose nocturnal powwas and hellish 



APPENDIX. 489 

orgies he suddenly ended. Putnam did not want 
for feeling or gratitude. The French commander, 
fearing to trust him alone with them, remained till 
he could safely deliver him into the hands of his 
master. 

The savage approached his prisoner kindly, and 
seemed to treat him with particular affection. He 
offered him some hard hiscuit ; but finding that he 
could not chew them, on account of the blow he had 
received from the Frenchman, this more humane 
savage soaked some of the biscuit in water, and made 
him suck the pulp-like part. Determined, however, 
not to lose his captive, the refreshment being finish- 
ed, he took tiie moccasons from his feet, and tied them 
to one of his wrists ; then directing him to lie down 
on his back on the bare ground, he stretched one arm 
to its full length, and bound it fast to a young tree ; 
the other arm was extended and bound in the same 
manner — his legs were stretched apart, and fastened 
to two saplings. Then a number of tall, but slender 
poles were cut down, which, with some long bushes, 
were laid across his body from head to foot : on each 
side lay as many Indians as could conveniently find 
lodging, in order to prevent the possibility of his 
escape. In this disagreeable and painful posture 
he remained till morning. During the night, the 
longest and most dreary conceivable, our hero used to 
relate that he felt a ray of cheerfulness come casually 
across his mind, and could not even refrain from 
smiling when he reflected on this ludicrous group for 
a painter, of which he himself was the principal figure. 

The next day he was allowed his blanket and 
moccasons, and permitted to march without carrying 
any pack, or receiving any insult. To allay his 
extreme hunger, a little bear's meat was given, which 
he sucked through his teeth. At night the party 
arrived at Ticonderoga, and the prisoner was placed 
under the care of a French guard. The savages, 
who had been prevented from glutting their diaboli- 
62 



490 APPENDIX. 

cal thirst for blood, took this opportunity of manifest- 
ing their malevolence for the disappointment, by 
horrid grimaces and angry gestures ; but they were 
suffered no more to offer violence or personal indig- 
nity to him. 

After having been examined by the Marquis de 
Montcalm, Major Putnam was conducted to Mon- 
treal by a French ofiicer, who treated him with the 
greatest indulgence and humanity. 

At this place were several prisoners. Colonel 
Peter Schuyler, remarkable for his philanthropy, 
generosity and friendship, was of the number. No 
sooner had he heard of Major Putnam's arrival, than 
he went to the interpreter's quarters, and inquired 
whether he had a Provincial major in his custody? 
He found Major Putnam in a comfortless condition — 
without coat, waistcoat, or hose — the remnant of his 
clothing miserably dirty and ragged — his beard long 
and squalid — his legs torn by tliorns and briers, — his 
face gashed with wounds and swollen w^ith bruises. 
Colonel Schuyler, irritated beyond all sufferance at 
such a sight, could scarcely restrain his speech within 
limits, consistent with the prudence of a prisoner, and 
the meekness of a Christian. Major Putnam was im- 
mediately treated according to his rank, clothed in a 
decent manner, and supplied with money by this 
liberal and sympathetic patron of the distressed, and 
by his assistance he was soon after exchanged. 

In the year 1760, Major Putnam was promoted to 
the rank of lieutenant colonel, and served under 
General Amherst in the conquest of Canada. He 
embraced numerous opportunities of achieving feats 
of valor, and was particularly honored by his general 
for the promptitude and ability with which he acquit- 
ted himself of his arduous duty. '•* Colonel Putnam, 
at the expiration of ten years from his first receiving 
a commission, after having seen as much service, 
endured as many hardships, encountered as many 
dangers, and acquired as many laurels, as any officer 



APPENDIX. 491 

of his rank, with great satisfaction laid aside his uni- 
form and returned to his plough." No character 
stood fairer in the public eye for integrity, bravery 
and patriotism. It was proverbially said, as well by 
British as Provincial officers, that, in a service of great 
peril and hardship, from 1755 to 1763, "Ae dared 
to lead where any dared to follow.^' 

At the commencement of hostilities between the 
colonies and the mother country. Colonel Putnam, on 
hearing of the battle at Lexington, left his plough in 
the middle of the field, and witiiout changing his 
clothes, repaired to Cambridge, riding in a single 
day one hundred miles. He was soon appointed a 
major general in the provincial army, and returning 
to Connecticut he made no delay in bringing on a , 
body of troops. Not long after his appointment, the yf^ 
commander of the British army, unwilling that so [ 
valuable an officer should act in opposition, privately 1 ^'^f 
conveyed to him a proposal that if he would quit the 
rebel party, he might rely on being made a major *- 

general in the British establishment, and receiving a 
great pecuniary compensation for his services ; but he / 
spurned the offer. ^^On the 1 6th of June, 1775, it 
was determined in a council of war, at which General 
Putnam assisted, that a fortified post should be estab- 
lished at or near Bunker hill. General Putnam 
marched with the first detachment and commenced 
the work ; — he was the principal agent or engineer 
who traced the lines of the redoubt, and he continued 
most if not all the night with the workmen : at any 
rate he was on the spot before sunrising in the morn- 
ing, and had taken his station on the top of Bunker 
hill, and participated in the danger as well as the 
glory of that day."* 

* In the spring of the year 1818 an account of the battle of Bunker 
hill was published in the Port Folio by Henry Dearborn, Esq. major 
general in the army of the United States, in which he animadverts on the 
conduct of General Putnam with creat severity. To this production 
Daniel Putnam, Esq. son of the late general, has published a rejoinder, 
from which I have taken the testimonials which follow. 



492 APPENDIX. 

Ji Utter from the Honorable Judge Grosvenor, of 
Pom fret in Connecticut. 

" Being under the command of General Putnam, 
part of our regiment, and a much larger number of 
Massachusetts troops, under Colonel Prescott, were 
ordered to march on the evening of the 16th of 
June, 1775, to Breed's hill, where, under the imme- 
diate superintendence of General Putnam, ground 
was broken and a redoubt formed. On the following 
day, the 17th, dispositions were made to deter the 
advance of the enemy, as there was reason to believe 
an immediate attack was intended. General Putnam 
during the period was extremely active, and direct- 
ed principally the operations. All were animated, 
and their general inspired confidence by his example. 
The British army, having made dispositions for land- 
ing at Morton's point, were covered by the fire of 
shot and shells from Copp's hill in Boston, which it 
had opened on our redoubt early in the morning, 
and continued the greater part of the day. At this 
moment a detachment of four lieutenants, of which 
I was one, and one hundred and twelve men, selected 
the preceding day from General Putnam's regiment, 
under Captain Knowlton, were by the general, order- 
ed to take post at a rail fence on the left of the breast 
work that i^an north from the redoubt to the bottom 
of Breed's hill. This order was promptly executed, 
and our detachment in advancing to the post, took 
one rail fence and placed it against another, as a 
partial cover, nearly parallel with the line of the 
breast work, and extended our left nearly to Mystic 
river. Each man was furnished with one pound of 
gun powder and forty eight balls. This am- 
munition was received, however, prior to marching 
to Breed's hill. In this position our detachment re- 
mained till a second division of British troops land- 
ed, when they commenced a fire of thair field artil- 
lery of several rounds, and particularly against the 
rail fence ; then formed in columns, advanced to 



APPENDIX. 493 

the attack, displayed in line at about the distance 
of musket shot, and commenced firing. At this 
instantour whole line opened on the enemy, and so 
precise and fatal was our fire, that in the course 
of a short time they gave way and retired in dis- 
order out of musket shot, leaving before us ma- y 
killed atul wounded. There was but a short respite 
on the part of the British, as their lines were soon 
filled up and led against us, when they were met as 
before, and forced back with great loss. On rein- 
forcements joining the enemy, they made a direct 
advance on the redoubt, and being successful, which 
our brave Captain Knowlton perceiving, ordered a 
retreat of his men, in ivhich he ivas sustained by 
two companies under the command of Captains 
Clark and Chester. The loss in our detachment I 
presume was nearly equal. Of my own immediate 
command of thirty men and one subaltern, there were 
eleven killed and ivounded ; among the latter was 
myself, though not so severely as to prevent my re- 
tiring. Jit the rail fence there was not posted any 
corps save our own^ under Knowlton, at the time 
the firing commenced ,* nor did I hear of any other 
being there, till long after the action. Other troops, 
it is said, were ordered to join us, but refused doing 
so. Of the officers on the ground, the most active 
within my observation were General Putnam, Colonel 
Prescott, and Captain Knowlton ; but no doubt there 
were many more, equally brave and meritorious, who 
must naturally have escaped the eye of one attending 
to his own immediate command. 

" Thus you have a brief statement of my knowledge 
of the action, without descending to particulars. To 
conclude, it is matter of surprize, even of astonish- 
ment to me, my dear Sir, that I am called on to state 
my opinion of the character of your honored father, 
General Putnam, who was ever the first in public 
life, at the post of honor and danger, and who, in 
his private conduct, was excelled by none. Look but 



494 APPENDIX. 

at his services in the French and Indian wars from 
1755 to 1763, and finally at those of the revolution, 
and you will need no proof to refute the calumny of 
common defamers. 

With respect, I am, yours, truly, 

Thomas Grosvenor. 
Colonel Daniel Putnam.''^ 

The following is a letter from Colonel John Trum- 
bull, of New York, an officer of distinction in the 
revolutionary war, and now a celebrated historical 
painter employed in his profession by the govern- 
ment of the United States, dated. New York, 30th 
of March, 1818. 

^^ In the summer of 1786, I became acquainted in 
London, with Colonel John Small, of the British 
army, who had served in America many years, and 
had known Geiicrnl Putnam intimately during the 
war of Canada, from 1756 to 1763. From him, I 
had the two following anecdotes respecting the battle 
of Bunker hill, I shall nearly repeat his words : — 
Looking at the picture which I had tlien almost com- 
pleted, he said : * / don^t like the situation in, 
which you have placed my old friend Putnam ; you 
have not done him justice. I wish you would alter 
that part of your picture^ and introduce a circum- 
stance ivhich actually happened, and which I can 
never forget. When the British troops advanced 
the second time to the attack of the redoubt, I with 
other officers, was i?! front of the line to encourage 
the men; zve had advanced very near the works 
nndisiurbed, ivhen an irregular fire, like a feu de 
joie was poured in on us ; it wets cruelly fatal. 
Tlie troops fell back, and when I looked to the right 
and left, I saw not one officer stajiding ; — / 
glanced my eye to the enemy, and saw several 
young men levelling their pieces at me ; I knew 
their excelleiice as marksmen, and considered my- 



APPENDIX. 495 

self gone. Jit this momerit my old friend Putnam 

rushed forward, and striking up the muzzles of 

their pieces with his sword, cried oiiff ' For God's 

sake, my lads, don't fire at that man — I love him as 

I do my brother.' We luere so near each other that 

I heard his ivords distinctly. He was obeyed; I 

bowed, thanked him, and walked away unmolested.^ 

" The other anecdote relates to the death of General 

Warren. At the moment when the troops succeeded 

in carrying the redoubt and the Americans were in 

full retreat, General Howe, who had been hurt by a 

spent ball which bruised his ankle, was leaning on my 

arm. He called suddenly to me : ^^ Do you see that 

elegant young man who has just fallen ? do you know 

him ?" I looked to the spot to which he pointed — 

^ Good God, Sir, I believe it is my friend Warren.' 

^ Leave me then instantly — run — keep off the troops, 

save him if possible.' — I flev/ to the spot, ' my dear 

friend,' I said to him, ^ I hope you are not badly 

hurt :' — he looked up, seemed to recollect me, smiled 

and died ! A musket ball had passed through the 

upper part of his head. Colonel Small had the 

character of an honorable, upright man, and could 

have no conceivable motive for deviating from truth 

in relating these circumstances to me ; I therefore 

believe them to be true. You remember, my dear 

Sir, the viper biting the file. The character of your 

father for courage, humanity, generosity and integrity 

IS too firmly established, by the testimony of those 

who did know him, to be tarnished by the breath of 

one who confesses that he did not. Accept, my dear 

Sir, this feeble tribute to your father's memory, from 

one who knew him, respected him, loved him — and 

who wishes health and prosperity to you and all the 

good man's posterity. John Trumbull. 

Daniel Putnam, Esquire.^' 

^^ I shall make no comment," says Colonel Putnam, 
" on the first anecdote by Colonel Small, except that 



496 APPENDIX. 

the circumstances were related by General Putnam, 
without any essential alteration, soon after the battle ;; 
and that there was an interview of the parties on the 
lines between Prospect and Bunker hill, at the re- 
quest of Colonel Small, not long afterwards." 

It is very apparent that General Washington re- 
posed great confidence in the skill and judgment of 
General Putnam, or he would not have entrusted him 
with the command of the city of New York at the 
moment when it was expected that the whole of the 
British land and naval forces would attempt to take 
possession of that city. On the 29th of March, 1776, 
the Commander in Chief gave to General Putnam the 
following orders and instructions. "You will, no 
doubt, make the best despatch in getting to New 
York ; on your arrival there, you will assume the 
command, and immediately proceed in continuing to 
execute the plan proposed by Major General Lee, 
for fortifying that city, and securing the passes of the 
East and North rivers. If, on consultation with the 
brigadier generals and engineers, any alteration in 
that plan is thought necessary, you are at liberty to 
make it, cautiously avoiding to break in too much 
on his main design, unless where it may be apparently 
necessary so to do, and that by the general voice and 
opinion of the gentlemen above mentioned. You 
will meet the quarter master general. Colonel Mifflin, 
and commissary general. Colonel Trumbull, at New 
York. As these are both men of excellent talents 
in their different departments, you will do well to 
give them all the authority and assistance they re- 
quire ; and should a council of war be necessary, it 
is my direction that they assist at it. Your long 
service and experience, will, better than my particu- 
lar directions at this distance, point out to you the 
works most proper to be first raised, and your pe?'se- 
verance, activity and zeal will lead you without my 
recommending it, to exert every nerve to disappoint 
the enemy's designs." " The faithful execution of 



APPENDIX. 497 

the duties here enjoined were acknowledged by the 
Commander in Chief after his arrival in New York, 
and his thanks were publicly expressed in general 
orders. Two days before the battle of Flat Bush, 
in consequence of tlie sickness of that excellent ofH- 
cer, Major General Greene, who had commanded on 
Long Island, General Putnam was ordered to the 
command of that post, and assisted in the arduous and 
complicated difficulties of that masterly retreat. In 
the memorable and distressing y7/^A/ of the American 
army through New Jersey, in 1776, General Putnam 
was always near — always the friend, the supporter, 
and confidant of his beloved chief ; and the moment 
after reaching the western bank of the Delaware 
with the rear of the army, he was ordered to Phila" 
delphia to fortify and defend that city against a medi- 
tated attack. When, in the summer of 1777, Fort 
Montgomery was captured by the enemy, and it was 
determined to erect another fortification on the banks 
of the Hudson for the defence of that river, the 
Commander in Chief left it wholly to the judgment 
of General Putnam to fix on the spot, who decided 
in favor of West Point ; and as his biographer has 
remarked, ' it is no vulgar praise to say, that to him 
belongs the' glory of having chosen this rock of our 
military salvation.^ 

As an instance of the decision of his temper, the 
following is deserving of notice. A man by the name 
of Nathan Palmer was detected in General Putnam's 
camp, who on trial was found to be a lieutenant in 
the tory new levies. Governor Tryon, their com- 
mander, addressed General Putnam, and reclaimed 
Palmer as a British officer, and threatened vengeance 
in case he should be executed. This drew from him 
a reply in the following laconic style. 

" Sir, Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your king's 
service, was taken in my camp, as a spy, — he was 
tried as a spy, — he was condemned as a spy^ — and 
63 



498 APPENDIX. 

you may rest assured, Sir, that he shall be hanged as 
a 8pyP 

I have the honor to be, &c. 

Israel Putnam. 
His Excellency Governor Tryon. 

" P. S. Afternoon, he is hanged." 

In December 1779, while on his return from Con- 
necticut to head quarters, this venerable man was 
attacked by a paralytic affection, under which he 
langjiished till the nineteenth of May, 1790, when 
his honorable and useful life was brought to a final 
close. The qualities of his mind were sincerity, 
generosity and an invincible sense of duty. The 
moral virtues, and duties of piety, and pure religion 
were objects of his serious reflection, and the late 
Reverend Dr. Dwight, in his Travels, has eulogiz- 
ed these as eminent traits in his character. 

Extract of a letter from General Washington to Gen- 
eral Putnam, dated, Head Quarters, 2d June, 1783. 

'^ Dear Sir, — Your favor of the 20th of May, I 
received with much pleasure. For I can assure you, 
that, among the many worthy and meritorious officers 
with whom I have had the happiness to be connected 
in service through the course of this war, and from 
whose cheerful assistance in the various and trying 
vicissitudes of a complicated contest, the name of 
Putnam is not forgotten ; nor will it be, but with that 
stroke of time which shall obliterate from my mind 
the remembrance of all those toils and fatigues through 
which we have struggled, for the preservation and 
establishment of the rights, liberties and indepen- 
dence of our country. Your congratulations on the 
happy prospect of peace and independent security, 
with their attendant blessings to the United States, 
I receive with great satisfaction ; and beg you will 
accept a return of my gratulations to you, on this 
auspicious event — an event, in which, great as it is 



APPENDIX. 499 

in itself, and glorious as it will probably be in its 
consequences, you have a right to participate largely, 
from the distinguished part you have contributed 
towards its attainment. I anticipate with pleasure 
the day, and I trust not far off, when I shall quit the 
busy scenes of military employment, and retire to 
the more tranquil walks of domestic life. In that, 
or whatever other situation Providence may dispose 
of my future days, the remembrance of the many 
friendships and connexions I have had the happi- 
ness to contract with the gentlemen of the army, 
will be one of my most grateful reflections. 

^^ Under this contemplation, and impressed with the 
sentiments of benevolence and regard, I commend 
you, my dear Sir, my other friends, and, with them, 
the interests and happiness of our dear country^ 
to the keeping and protection of Almighty God. 
I have the honor to be, &c. &c. 

George Washington. 
To the Honorable Major General Putnam.^^ 

The following Eulogium was pronounced at the 
grave of General Putnam by Dr. A. Waldo. 

'' Those venerable relics ! once delighted in the 
endearing domestic virtues which constitute the ex- 
cellent neighbor, — husband, — parent — and worthy 
brother ! liberal and substantial in his friendship ; — 
unsuspicious — open, — and generous ; just and sincere 
in dealing ; a benevolent citizen of the world — he 
concentrated in his bosom the noble qualities of an 
Honest Man. 

<< Born a Het^o — whom nature taught and cherish- 
ed in the lap of innumerable toils and dangers, he 
was terrible in battle ! But, from the amiableness of 
his heart — when carnage ceased, his humanity spread 
over the field, like the refreshing zephyrs of a sum- 
mer's evening ! The prisoner — the wounded — the 
sick — the forlorn — experienced the delicate sympa- 
thy of this Soldier's Pillar. The poor and the 



500 APPENDIX. 

needy of every description, received the charitable 
bounties of this Christian Soldier. 

*^ He pitied littleness — loved goodness — admired 
greatness, and ever aspired to its glorious summit! 
The friend, the servant, and almost unparalleled lover 
of his country ; — worn with honorable age, and the 
former toils of war — Putnam rests from his labors ! 

" Till mouldering worlds and trembling systems burst! 
When the last trump shall renovate his dust- 
Still by the mandate of eternal truth, 
His soul will flourish in immortal youth !" 

" This all who knew him, know ; this all who lov*d him tell/' 

Dr. Dwight penned a very excellent inscription, 
which is engraved on his tomb, but our narrow limits 
must apologize for its omission in this place. 



MAJOR GEJ^ERAL WILLMM HEJITH. 

Major General William Heath was a native of 
Roxbury, Massachusetts, and was from his youth a 
cultivator of the soil, which was his favorite pursuit. 
He was not conversant with general literature, but 
being particularly attached to the study of military 
tactics he acquired a knowledge of modern warfare 
in its various branches and duties. 

At an early period of the opposition of the colonies 
to the unjust and oppressive measures of the British 
ministry, he was an active militia officer, and assidu- 
ously engaged in organizing and disciplining the 
companies of militia and minute men. In the year 
1775, being ranked among the patriots and advocates 
for liberty, he was by the Provincial Congress, com- 
missioned as a brigadier general. 

During the siege of Boston, he was in commission 
as a general officer^ but on no occasion distinguished 



APPENDIX. 501 

for enterprize or important services. When General 
Washington contemplated an attack on Boston, Gen^ 
eral Heath was offered the command of a division, 
but he declined the hazardous service. In August, 
1776, he was by Congress promoted to the rank of 
major general in the continental army, and in the 
campaign of that year he commanded a division near 
the enemy's lines at King's bridge and Morrisania. 
During the year 1777, and till November, 1778, he was 
the commanding officer of the eastern department, and 
his head quarters were at Boston. Here devolved 
on him the very arduous duties of superintendent of 
the convention troops, captured with General Bur- 
goyne at Saratoga, which were quartered at Cam- 
bridge. This station required a character of uncom- 
mon firmness and decision, and had General Heath 
been destitute of these qualities, he would have been 
subjected to the grossest impositions and indignities, 
from the haughty Generals Burgoyne and Phillips, 
and the perverse temper of their soldiery. These 
officers, lofty in spirit, and of high rank and character, 
now chagrined by a state of captivity, occasioned to 
General Heath a series of difficulties and vexations. 
He soon however, convinced them that he was 
neither deficient in spirit, nor ignorant of his duty 
as a military commander. In all his proceedings 
with these turbulent captives, he supported the au- 
thority of Congress and the honor and dignity of the 
command reposed in him ; and he received the en- 
tire approbation of that honorable body, to whom he 
was amenable for his conduct. In the most inter- 
esting and critical circumstances in which a general 
could possibly be placed, he uniformly exhibited 
a prudence, animation, decision and firmness which 
have done him honor, and fully justified the confi- 
dence reposed in him. 

The cordial and most explicit approbation of the 
army, the inhabitants of this town, the army and 
navy of our illustrious ally, the government of this 



502 APPENDIX. 

State, his Excellency the Commander in Chief, and 
of Congress, added to the consciousness of his having 
discharged his trust with fidelity, must in a great 
measure have alleviated the fatigues incident to his 
arduous station, and compensated the loss of his 
health so much impaired by an incessant attention to 
business.* In June, 1779, General Heath was 
elected by Congress a commissioner of the Board of 
War, with a salary of four thousand dollars per annum, 
and allowed to retain Ids rank in the army, which he 
declined, preferring to participate in active opera- 
tions in the field. 

In the summer of 1780, he was directed by the 
Commander in Chief to repair to Rhode Island to 
make arrangements for the reception of the French 
fleet and army which were expected soon to arrive. 
In his interview with the Count Rochambeau, and 
other officers of the French array and navy, he 
proffered his friendly civilities and contributed all in 
his power to their comfortable accommodation, which 
was productive of a mutual and lasting friendship 
between them. Indefatigable attention to duty in 
the various stations assigned him, was a prominent 
trait in his character. In May, 1781, General Heath 
was directed by the Commander in Chief to repair 
to the New England states to represent to their re- 
spective executives the distressing condition of our 
army, and to solicit a speedy supply of provisions and 
clothing, in which he w^as successful. As senior 
major general, he was more than once commander 
of the right wing of our army, and during the ab- 
sence of the Commander in Chief, at the siege of 
Yorktown, he was entrusted with the command of 
the main army posted at the liighlands and vicinity, 
to guard the important works on the Hudson. On 
the 24th of June, 1784, hostilities having ceased be- 
tween the two armies. General Washington addressed 

* Continental Journal, piiiitcd at Boston., November 12th, 1778, 



APPENDIX. 503 

a letter to General Heath expressing his thanks for 
his meritorious services, and his real affection and 
esteem, and on the same day they took their final 
leave. 

General Heath was corpulent and bald headed, 
which occasioned some of the French ofiicers to ob- 
serve that he resembled the Marquis of Granby, 
and he appeared always pleased with the com- 
parison. As an oiTicer of parade and discipline, he 
was respectable, but for valorous achievements we 
look in vain for his laurels. Had it been his destiny 
however, to encounter the perils of a conflict in the 
field of blood, no one can say with what adroitness 
he would have played the hero. 

Immediately after the close of the war, General 
Heath was called again into public service in civil 
life, and continued to hold a seat, either in the legis- 
lature, or in the council of Massachusetts, till the 
county of Norfolk was established, in 1793, when 
he was appointed by Governor Hancock, Judge 
of Probate, and a Justice of the Court of Common 
Pleas, the latter office he did not accept. In the 
former he continued till his death. He was also a 
member of the state convention which ratified the 
federal constitution. All these offices he discharged 
with assiduity, affability and impartiality, and to the 
general satisfaction of his fellow citizens. 

He had formed his opinion cf human nature on the 
most favorable examples, and to the close of life had 
a strong regard to popular opinion. He repeatedly 
allowed himself to be held up and voted for, for 
the office of Governor and Lieutenant Governor of 
the Commonwealth, and at one period, had, no doubt, 
a willingness and desire to hold one of these offices. 
In 1806, he was elected Lieutenant Governor. His 
refusal of the office was matter of surprize to many, 
and was by some imputed to an unwillingness to serve 
with Governor Strong ; while it was well known to 
those most intimate with him, to be owing to his dis- 



504 APPENDIX. 

approbation of the conduct of the legislature of that 
year, in their memorable attempt to defeat the voice 
of the people, by setting aside Governor Strong's 
election. 

He was more than once an elector of President 
and Vice President of the United States, and gave 
his vote to those who undertook to appropriate to 
themselves the name, republican, till the election 
preceding his death, when he withheld his vote from 
Mr. Madison, on account of his recommending the 
declaration of war in 1812, and sanctioning the 
measures which preceded and followed this event, 
and which caused the general wholly to withdraw 
his confidence from that administration. 

Such was General Heath's public life. His pri- 
vate one was retired and domestic, amiable, orderly 
and industrious, but not remarkable for hospitality, 
or a liberal appropriation of property to public pur- 
poses. He died, at Roxbury, January 24th, 1814, 
aged 77 years. 



MAJOR GEJ^ERJiL BEJyjJMIA" LIJVCOL.Y. 

General Lincoln deserves a high rank in the fra- 
ternity of American heroes. He was born in Hing- 
ham, Massachusetts, January 23d, 0. S. 1733. His 
early education was not auspicious to his future emi- 
nence, and his vocation was that of a farmer, till he 
was more than forty years of age, though he was 
commissioned as a magistrate, and elected a repre- 
sentative in the state legislature. In the year 1775, 
he sustained the office of lieutenant colonel of militia, 
and having espoused the cause of his country as a 
firm and determined whig, he was elected a member 



APPENDIX. 505 

of the Provincial Congress, and one of the secretaries 
of that body, and also a member of the committee of 
correspondence. In 1776, he was appointed by the 
council of Massachusetts a brigadier, and soon after 
a major general, and he applied himself assiduously 
to training, and preparing the militia for actual service 
in the field, in which he displayed the military talent 
which he possessed. In October, he marched with a 
body of militia and joined the main army at New 
York. The Commander in Chief, from a knowledge 
of his character and merit, recommended him to 
Congress as an excellent officer, and in February, 
1777, he was by that honorable body, created a 
major general on the continental establishment. For 
several months he commanded a division, or detach- 
ments in the main army, under Washington, and was 
in situations which required the exercise of the iit- 
most vigilance and caution, as well as firmness and 
courage. Having the command of about five hundred 
men in an exposed situation near Bound Brook, 
through the neglect of his patroles, a large body of 
the enemy approached within two hundred yards of 
his quarters undiscovered ; the general had scarcely 
time to mount and leave the house before it W'as sur- 
rounded. He led off his troops however, in the 
face of the enemy, and made good his retreat, though 
with the loss of about sixty men killed and wounded. 
One of his aids with the general's baggage and papers 
fell into the hands of the enemy, as did also three 
small pieces of artillery. In July, 1777, General 
Washington selected him to join the northern army 
under the command of General Gates, to oppose the 
advance of General Burgoyne. He took his station 
at Manchester, in Vermont, to receive and form the 
New England militia, as they arrived, and to order 
their march to the rear of the British army. He 
detached Colonel Brown, with five hundred men on 
the 13th of September to the landing at lake George, 
where he succeeded in surprizing the enemy, and 
64 



506 APPENDIX. 

took possession of two hundred batteaux, liberated 
one liundred American prisoners, and captured two 
hundred and ninety three of the enemy, with the loss 
of only three killed and five wounded. This enter- 
prize was of the highest importance, and contributed 
essentially to the glorious event which followed. 
Having detached two other parties to the enemy's 
posts at Mount Independence and Skenesborough, 
General Lincoln united his remaining force with the 
army under General Gates, and was the second in 
command. During the sanguinary conflict on the 
7th of October, General Lincoln commanded within 
our lines, and at one o'clock the next morning, he 
marched with his division to relieve the troops that 
had been engaged, and to occupy the battle ground, 
the enemy having retreated. While on this duty he 
had occasion to ride forward some distance, to re- 
connoitre, and to order some disposition of his own 
troops, when a party of the enemy made an unex- 
pected movement, and he approached within musket 
shot before he was aware of his mistake. A whole 
volley of musketry was instantly discharged at him 
and his aids, and he received a wound by which the 
bones of his leg were badly fractured, and he was 
obliged to be carried off the field. The wound was 
a formidable one, and the loss of his limb was for 
some time apprehended. He was for several months 
confined at Albany, and it became necessary to re- 
move a considerable portion of the main bone before 
he was conveyed to his house at Hingham, and un- 
der this painful surgical operation, the writer of this 
being present, witnessed in him a degree of firmness 
and patience not to be exceeded. I have known 
him, says Colonel Rice, who was a member of his 
military family, during the most painful operation by 
the surgeon, while bystanders were frequently 
obliged to leave the room, entertain us with some 
j)leasant anecdote, or story, and draw forth a smile 
from his friends. His wound continued several years 



APPENDIX. 507 

in an ulcerated state, and by the loss of the bone the 
limb was shortened, which occasioned lameness dur- 
ing the remainder of his life. General Lincoln cer- 
tainly aflbrded very important assistance in the cap- 
ture of Burgoyne, though it was his unfortunate lot, 
while in active duty, to be disabled before he could 
participate in the capitulation. Though his recov- 
ery was not complete, he repaired to head quarters 
in the following August, and was joyfully received 
by the Commander in Chief, who well knew how to 
appreciate his merit. It was from a development of 
his estimable character as a man, and his talent as a 
military commander, that he was designated by Con- 
gress for the arduous duties of the chief command in 
the southern department, under innumerable embar- 
rassments. On his arrival at Charleston, December, 
1778, he found that he had to form an army, to pro- 
vide supplies, and to arrange the various depart- 
ments, that he might be able to cope with an enemy 
consisting of experienced officers and veteran troops. 
This it is obvious, required a man of superior pow- 
ers, indefatigable perseverance, and unconquerable 
energy. Had not these been his inherent qualities, 
Lincoln must have yielded to the formidable obstacles 
which opposed his progress. About the 28th of De- 
cember, General Prevost arrived with a fleet, and 
about three thousand British troops, and took pos- 
session of Savannah, after routing a small party of 
Americans, under General Robert Howe. General 
Lincoln, immediately put his troops in motion, and 
took post on the eastern side of the river about 
twenty miles from the city ; but he was not in force 
to commence offensive operations, till the last of 
February. In April, with the view of covering the 
upper part of Georgia, he marched to Augusta, 
after which Prevost, the British commander, crossed 
the river into Carolina and marched for Charleston. 
General Lincoln, therefore, recrossed the Savannah, 
and followed his route, and on his arrival near the 



508 APPENDIX. 

city, the enemy had retired from before it during 
the previous night. A detachment of the enemy, 
supposed to be about six hundred men, under Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Maitland, being posted at Stone Ferry, 
where they had erected works for their defence, Gen- 
eral Lincoln resolved to attack them, which he did on 
the 19th of June. The contest lasted one hour and 
twenty minutes, in which he lost one hundred and 
sixty men killed and wounded, and the enemy suffer- 
ed about an equal loss. Their works were found to 
be much stronger than had been represented, and 
our artillery proving too light to annoy them, and 
the enemy receiving a reinforcement, our troops 
were obliged to retire. 

The next event of importance which occurred with 
our general, was the bold assault on Savannah, in 
conjunction with the Count D' Estaing. General Pre- 
vost had again possessed himself of that city, and 
Count CEstaing, arrived with his fleet and arma- 
ment in the beginning of September, 1779. Having 
landed nearly three thousand French troops. Gen- 
eral Lincoln immediately united about one thousand 
men to his force. The prospect of success was highly 
flattering, but the enemy exerted all their efforts in 
strengthening their lines, and after the count had 
summoned the garrison, and while Prevost was about 
to arrange articles of capitulation, he received a re- 
inforcement. It was now resolved to attempt the 
place by a regular siege, but various causes occasioned 
a delay of several days, and when it commenced, the 
cannonade and bombardment failed of producing the 
desired effect, and the short time allowed the count 
on our coast, was quite insufficient for reducing the 
garrison by regular approaches. The commanders 
concluded therefore, to make an effort on the works 
by assault. On the 9th of October, in theymorning, 
the troops were led on by D'Estaing, and Lincoln 
united, while a column led by Count Dillon missed 
their route in the darkness, and failed of the intended 



APPENDIX. 509 

co-operation. Amidst a most appalling fire of the 
covered enemy, the allied troops fprced the abbatis, 
and planted two standards on the parapets. But 
being overpowered at the point of attack, they were 
compelled to retire ; the French having seven hun- 
dred, the Americans two hundred and forty killed 
and wounded. The Count Pulaski, at the head of 
a body of our horse, was mortally wounded. Gen- 
eral Lincoln next repaired to Charleston, and en- 
deavored to put that city in a posture of defence, ur- 
gently requesting of Congress a reinforcement of reg- 
ular troops, and additional supplies, which were but 
partially complied with. In February, 1780, Gen- 
eral Sir Henry Clinton arrived, and landed a formi- 
dable force in the vicinity, and on the 30th of March 
encamped in front of the American lines at Charles- 
ton. Considering the vast superiority of the enemy, 
both in sea and land forces, it might be questioned 
whether prudence and correct judgment, would dic- 
tate an attempt to defend the city ; it will not be 
supposed however, that the determination was form- 
ed without the most mature deliberation, and for 
reasons perfectly justifiable. It is well known that 
the general was in continual expectation of an aug- 
mentation of strength by reinforcements. On the 
10th of April, the enemy having made some advances, 
summoned the garrison to an unconditional surren- 
der, which was promptly refused. A heavy and 
incessant cannonade was sustained on each side, till 
the 11th of May, when the besiegers had completed 
their third parallel line, and having made a second 
demand of surrender, a capitulation was agreed on. 
"Having received," says the general, "an ad- 
dress from the principal inhabitants, and from a num- 
her of the country militia, desiring that I would 
accept the terms ; and a request from the lieutenant 
governor and council, that the negotiation might be 
renewed ; the militia of the town having thrown 
down their arms ; our provisions, saving a little rice, 



510 APPENDIX. 

being exhausted ; the troops on the line being worn 
down by fatigue, liaving for a number of days been 
obliged to lay on the banquette ; our harbor closely 
blocked up ; completely invested by land by nine 
thousand men at least, the flower of the British 
army, besides the large force they could at all times 
draw from the marine, and aided by a great number 
of blacks in their laborious employments, the garri- 
son at this time, exclusive of sailors, but little ex- 
ceeding two thousand five hundred men, part of 
whom had thrown down their arms ; the citizens in 
general discontented, the enemy being within twenty 
yards of our lines, and preparing to make a general 
assault by sea and land, many of our cannon dis- 
mounted, and others silenced for want of shot ; a 
retreat being judged impracticable, and every hope 
of timely succor cut off, we were induced to offer 
and accede to the terms executed on the 12th of 
May." It is to be lamented that, with all the judi- 
cious and vigorous efforts in his power, General Lin- 
coln was requited only by the frowns of fortune, 
whereas had he been successful in his bold enterprize 
and views, he would have been crowned with un- 
fading laurels. But notwithstanding a series of disap- 
pointments and unfortunate occurrences, he was cen- 
sured by no one, nor was his judgment or merit call- 
ed in question. He retained his popularity, and the 
confidence of the army, and was considered as a most 
zealous patriot, and the bravest of soldiers. ^^The 
motives and feelings that prompted General Lincoln 
rather to risk a siege than to evacuate Charleston, 
were most honorable to him as a man and a soldier. 
There was such a balance of reasons on the question, 
as under the existing circumstances should exempt 
his decision from blame or distrust. He could not 
calculate on the despondence and inactivity of the 
people who should come to his succor. The sus- 
pense and anxiety, the toil °and hazard attending 
the siege, gave the fullest scope to his wisdom; pa- 



APPENDIX. 511 

lience and valor. His exertions were incessant. 
He was on the lines night and day, and for the last 
fortnight, never undressed to sleep.''* Notwith- 
standing this unfortunate termination of his com- 
mand, so established was the spotless reputation of 
the vanquished general, that he continued to enjoy 
the undiminished respect and confidence of the Con- 
gress, the army, and the Commander in Chief.f 
*' Great praise is due to General Lincoln," says Dr. 
Ramsay, *' for his judicious and spirited conduct in 
baffling for three months the greatly superior force 
of Sir Henry Clinton, and Admiral Arbuthnot. 
Though Charleston and the southern army were 
lost, yet by their long protracted defence, the Brit- 
ish plans were not only retarded but deranged, and 
North Carolina was saved for the remainder of the 
year 1780.'' 

General Lincoln was admitted to his parole, and 
in November following he was exchanged for Major 
General Phillips, a prisoner of the convention of 
Saratoga. In the campaign of 1781, General Lin- 
coln commanded a division under Washington, and at 
the siege of Yorktown he had his full share of the 
honor of that brilliant and auspicious event. The 
articles of capitulation stipulated for the same honor 
in favor of the surrendering army, as had been grant- 
ed to the garrison of Charleston. General Lincoln 
was appointed to conduct them to the field where 
their arms were deposited, and received the cus- 
tomary submission. In the general order of the 
Commander in Chief the day after the capitulation, 
General Lincoln was among the general officers 
whose services were particularly mentioned. In 
October, 1781, he was chosen by Congress secretary 
at war, retaining his rank in the army. In this 

* Notice of General Lincoln in the collection of the Historical Society, 
vol. 3d, second series, from which 1 have made other extracts. 

t Lee's memoirs of the war in the southern deoartment. 



512 APPENDIX. 

office he continued till October, 1783, when his 
proffered resignation was accepted by Congress as 
follows : " Resolved that the resignation of Major 
General Lincoln, as secretary of war for the United 
States, be accepted in consideration of the earnest 
desire which he expresses, the objects of the war 
being so happily accomplished, to retire to private 
life, and that he be informed that the United States 
in Congress assembled entertain a high sense of his 
perseverance, fortitude, activity and meritorious ser- 
vices in the field, as well as of his diligence, fidelity, 
and capacity in the execution of the office of secreta- 
ry at war, which important trust he has discharged 
to their entire approbation." Having relinquished 
the duties and cares of a public employment, he 
retired and devoted his attention to his farm ; but in 
1784, he was chosen one of the commissioners and 
agents on the part of the state to make and execute 
a treaty with the Penobscot Indians. When in the 
year 1786 — 7, the authority of our state government 
was in a manner prostrated, and the country alarmed 
by a most audacious spirit of insurrection under the 
guidance of Shays and Day, General Lincoln was 
appointed by the governor and council, to command 
a detachment of militia consisting of four or five 
thousand men to oppose their progress, and compel 
them to a submission to the laws. He marched from 
Boston on the 20th of January, into the counties of 
Worcester, Hampshire, and Berkshire, where the 
insurgents had erected their standard. They were 
embodied in considerable force, and manifested a de- 
termined resistance, and a slight skirmish ensued 
between them and a party of militia under General 
Shepherd. Lincoln however, conducted with such 
address and energy, that the insurgents were rout- 
ed from one town to another, till they were com- 
pletely dispersed in all directions ; and by his wise 
and prudent measures the insurrection was happily 
suppressed without bloodshed, excepting a few indi- 



APPENDIX. 513 

viduals who were slain under General Shepherd's 
command. At the May election, 1787, General Lin- 
coln was elected lieutenant governor by the legisla- 
ture, having had a pleurality of votes by the [)eople. 
He was a member of the convention for ratifying the 
federal constitution, and in the summer of 1789, he 
received from President Washington the appoint- 
ment of collector of the port of Boston, which office 
he sustained till being admonished by the increasing 
infirmities of age, he requested permission to resign 
about two years before his death. In 1789, he was 
appointed one of the commissioners to treat with the 
Creek Indians on the frontiers of the southern states, 
and in 1793, he was one of the commissioners to 
effect a peace with the western Indians. The sub- 
ject of this memoir received from the University of 
Cambridge, the honorary degree of Master of Arts. 
He was one of the first members of the American 
Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a member of 
the Massachusetts Historical Society, and he con- 
tributed by his pen to the stock of useful materials 
for their respective publications. Having after his 
resignation of the office of collector passed about two 
years in retirement, and in tranquillity of mind, but 
experiencing the feebleness of age, he received a 
short attack of disease by which his honorable life 
was terminated on the 9th of May, 1810, aged 77 
years. The following tribute is on the records of the 
society of Cincinnati. " At the ann\ial meeting in 
July, 1810, Major General John Brooks was chosen 
President of the society, to supply the place of our 
venerable and much lamented President, General 
Benjamin Lincoln, who had presided over the soci- 
ety from the organization thereof, in 1783, to the 9th 
of May, 1810, the day of his decease, with the entire 
approbation of every member, and the grateful tri- 
bute of his surviving comrades, for his happy guidance 
and affectionate attentions during so long a period.'^ 
General Lincoln in his verv nature was unsusceptible 
65 



514 APPENDIX. 

of the spirit of envy. Whoever achieved a noble 
action to the honor and advantage of his country, 
whether as a patriot or soldier, was with him the 
man of merit, and the theme of eulogy, though it 
might eclipse his own fame. He was universally 
respected as one of the best of men, of ardent patri- 
otism, and of heroic courage. Major General Knox, 
whose candor, and discriminating judgment no one 
will deny, was known to estimate next to Washington 
in military talents. Generals Greene and Lincoln. 
Colonel Nathan Rice, a respectable officer, who was 
a member of his military family, observes, that the 
sacrifice of as much domestic happiness as falls to the 
lot of men, to serve his country, would seem to place 
his patriotism beyond suspicion. The firmness and 
zeal with which he rendered this service during her 
struggle, the coolness with which he met danger, his 
fortitude under bodily pain, privation and disap- 
pointment, and the confidence reposed in him by the 
Commander in Chief, all strongly evince that his 
country had not misjudged in elevating him to the 
distinguished rank he held in the army. While at 
Purysburgh, on the Savannah river, a soldier named 
Fickiing, having been detected in frequent attempts 
to desert, was tried and sentenced to be hanged. 
The general ordered the execution. The rope 
broke, a second was procured which broke also ; 
the case was reported to the general for directions. 
'^ Let him run,"' said the general, '^ I thought he 
looked like a scape gallows."* Regularity both 

* Major Garden, in his Anecdotes of the American Revolution, relates 
this story with some addition. It happened that as Fickiing was led 
to execution, the surgeon general of the army passed accidentally on 
his way to his quarters, which were at some dnstance. When the 
second rope was procured the adjutant of the regiment, a stout and 
heavy man, assayed by every means to break it, but without effect. 
Fickiing was then haltered and again turned off, when to the astonish- 
ment of the bystanders the rope untwisted and he fell a second time 
uninjured to the ground. A cry for mercy was now general throughout 
the ranks, which occasioned Major Ladson, aid de camp to General 
Lincoln, to gallop to head quarters to make a representation of fasts, 



APPENDIX. 515 

in business and his mode of living were peculiar 
traits in his character; habitually temperate, and 
accustomed to sleep unconfined to time or place. 
In conversation he was always correct and chaste ; on 
no occasion uttering any thing like profanity or levity 
on serious subjects, and when others have indulged 
in these respects in his presence, it was ever receiv- 
ed by him with such marked disapprobation of coun- 
tenance, as to draw from them an instantaneous apolo- 
gy, and regret for the offence. Having while collec- 
tor, appointed a violent party man to a place of profit 
merely from motives of benevolence, he had frequent- 
ly, with many others abused the general, calling him 
^^ a damned old rascal." On the firet opportunity the 

general said to him, "so Mr. , you say I am a 

damned old rascal, you might have spared the damn- 
ed," without adding a word more, but it was ex- 
pressed in a manner that prevented a reply ; nor 
did he remove him from office. In the various char- 
acters of parent, husband and master, I ever held 
him up, says Colonel Rice, as a model of perfection. 
The law of kindness ever dwelt on his tongue. 



which were no sooner stated than an immediate pardon was granted, 
accompanied with an order that he should instantaneously be drum- 
med, with every mark of infamy out of camp, and threatened with in- 
stant death if he ever should be found attempting to approach it. In 
the interim the surgeon general had established himself at his quarters 
in a distant barn, little doubting but that the catastropiie was at an 
end, and FickJing quietly resting in his grave. Midnight was at hand, 
and he was busily engaged in writing, wlien hearing the approach of a 
footstep, he raised his eyes and saw with astonishment the figure of the 
man who had in his opinion been executed, slowly and with haggard 
countenance approaching towards hire. " How I how is this ?" ex- 
claimed the doctor, " whence come you ? what do you want with me ? 
were you not hanged this morning ?" " Yes, Sir," replied the resusci- 
tated man, *' I am the wretch you saw going to the gallows, and who was 
hanged." "Keep your distance," said the doctor, "approach me 
not till you say why you come here." " Simply, Sir," said the supposed 
spectre, " to solicit food. I am no ghost, r.>octor. The rope broke 
twice while the executioner was doing his office, and the general thought 
proper to pardon me." " If that be the case," rejoined the Doctor, 
" eat and be welcome ; but 1 beg of you in future to have a little more 
consideration, ard not intrude so unceremoniously into the apartment 
ai one who had every right to suppose you an inhabitant of the tomb." 



516 APPENDIX. 

This memoir will be concluded by some brief ex- 
tracts from the Historical Collections. " In General 
Lincoln's character, strength and softness, the estima- 
ble and amiable qualities, were happily blended. His 
mind was quirk and active, yet discriminating and 
sound. He displayed a fund of thought and infor- 
mation derived from select though limited reading, 
from careful observation of men and things, from 
habits of thinking and ftom conversation. A degree 
of enthusiasm or exaltation of feeling on the objects 
of his pursuit belonged to his temperament, but it 
was under the control of good sense and sober views. 
He was patient and cool in deliberation, in execution 
prompt and vigorous. He was conspicuous for plain, 
strict, inflexible integrity, united however with pru- 
dence, candor, and a compassionate disposition. As a 
military commander, he was judicious, brave, deter- 
mined, indefatigable. His distinguished merit in 
this character was never denied, while all have not 
agreed in opinion on some of his plans in the southern 
command. Being a soldier of the revolution he had 
to anticipate the effect of experience, and might 
commit mistakes. He was surrounded by difficulties ; 
he met extraordinary disappointments in his calcula- 
tions of supplies and succors. In the principal in- 
stances which issued unfortunately, the storming of 
Savannah and the siege of Charleston, he had but a 
choice of evils ; and which ever way he decided, the 
course rejected would have seemed to many persons 
more eligible. General Lincoln was a federalist of 
the Washington school. He experienced the benefit 
of his weight of character and the sense entertained 
by the community of his public services, in being 
suffered to retain his office of collector. 

'^ Religion exerted its full influence over the mind 
and conduct of General Lincoln. He was a Christian 
of the Antisectarian, Catholic, or liberal sect. He 
was firm in his faith, serious and affectionate in his 
piety, without superstition, fanaticism or austerity. 



APPENDIX. 517 

He was from early manhood a communicant^ and for 
a great part of his life a deacon of the church. He 
never shunned an avowal of his belief, nor feared 
to appear what he was, nor permitted the reality of 
his convictions to remain in doubt. The person and 
air of General Lincoln betokened his military voca- 
tion. He was of a middle height and erect, broad 
chested and muscular, in his latter years corpulent, 
with open intelligent features, a venerable and benign 
aspect. His manners were easy and unaifected, but 
courteous and polite." 

In all his transactions both public and private his 
mind was elevated above all sordid or sinister views, 
and our history will not perhaps record many names 
more estimable than was that of General Lincoln. 



FREDERICK WILLMM JUGUSTUS BJiROJY 
I)E STEUBEJV, 

KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OF FIDELITT IN GERMAJfT, AND MAJOR GElVEnAI, 
IN THE ARJir OF THE UKITED STATES. 

This highly distinguished personage was a Prussian 
officer, aid de camp to the great Frederick, and held 
the rank of lieutenant general in the army of that 
consummate commander. He arrived in America 
December, 1777, and presented himself with his 
credentials to Congress, proffering his services in our 
army without any claim to rank, and requested per- 
mission only to render such assistance as might be in 
his power, in the character of a volunteer. In thus 
devoting himself to our cause he made an immense 
sacrifice, by relinquishing his honorable station and 
emoluments in Europe. Congress voted him their 
thanks for his zeal, and the disinterested tender of 
his services, and he joined the main army under 



518 APPENDIX. 

General Wasliington at Valley Forge. His qualifica- 
tions for a teacher of the system of military tactics 
were soon manifested ; having for many years prac- 
tised on the system which the king of Prussia had 
introduced into his own army. In May, 1778, by 
the strong recommendation of the Commander in 
Chief, Congress appointed him inspector general with 
the rank of major general. He commenced his 
duties as inspector, beginning with the officers, who 
were formed into separate bodies, frequently exer- 
cised and instructed in the various movements and 
evolutions, when manoeuvring battalions, brigades, or 
divisions of the army. He exerted all his powers 
for the establishment of a regular system of discipline, 
economy and uniformity among our heterogeneous 
bodies of soldiers. In the discharge of this duty, 
and to effect his favorite object, he encountered ob- 
stacles to which a less zealous spirit would have 
yielded as insurmountable. By his superior talents, 
indefatigable industry and perseverance, he rendered 
a service to our army, without which it could not 
have attained to a condition capable of achieving 
honor and glory in the face of European veteran 
troops. Charmed with the neat and soldierly appear- 
ance of those who had profited by his instructions 
and duly improved in the art of discipline, and 
equally detesting the soldier whose awkward and 
unmilitary conduct betrayed his negligence, there 
never was a review but the Baron rewarded the one 
with more than praise, and censured the other 
whether officer or soldier, with a severity equal to 
his deserts. While reviewing our regiment he notic- 
ed in the ranks a very spruce young lad handsomely 
formed standing erect with the air of a genteel sol- 
dier, his gun and equipments in perfect order. The 
Baron, struck with his military appearance, patted 
him under his chin to elevate his head still more 
erect, viewed him with a smile, and said, " how long 
have you been a soldier ? you are one pretty soldier 



APPENDIX. 519 

in miniaturej how old are you ?'' seventeen, Sir. 
" Have you got a wife ?" then calling to the colonel, 
said, " Colonel Jackson, this is one fine soldier in min- 
iature." 

The Baron composed a complete system of ex- 
ercise and discipline, which was approved by the 
Commander in Chief, and ordered by Congress to be 
published and adopted in our army. Colonel Wil- 
liam North, and Colonel Walker, were aids de camp, 
and members of his family, between whom there ex- 
isted a mutual attachment and affection, pure as 
parent and sons.* The Baron was distinguished for 
his adherence to the principles of political integrity 
and moral virtue. His heart was replete with gen- 
erous sentiments and the purest benevolence. 

After General Arnold treacherously deserted his 
post at West Point, the Baron never failed to 
manifest his indignation and abhorrence of his name 
and character, and while inspecting Colonel Sheldon's 
regiment of light horse, the name of Arnold struck 
his ear. The soldier was ordered to the front, he 
was a fine looking fellow, his horse and equipments 
in excellent order. " Change your name, brother 
soldier, you are too respectable to bear the name of 
a traitor." " What name shall I take, general V' 
^^ Take any other name, mine is at your service." 
Most cheerfully was the offer accepted, and his name 

* Colonel North at an early a?e volunteered his services in the bold 
and perilous enterprize undertaken by General Arnold in the autumn 
of 1775, to penetrate to Canada through the unexplored wilderness 
from Kennebec, and was among the miserable sufferers who appre- 
hended the horrors of death in the wilderness. When Colonel Henry 
Jackson raised his regiment in the state of Massachusetts, this gentle- 
man was commissioned as commander of a company in this regiment, 
in which he served with honor till he was appointed aid de camp to 
Baron Steuben. By the amiable qualities of his heart, his ingratiating 
and gentlemanly manners, he won the affection of the Baron by whom 
he was treated with the favor of an adopted son. After the close ol' 
the war he was appointed major general of militia in the state of 
New York, and he has recently transferred his residence to New Lon- 
don, in Connecticut. It is chiefly by the aid of his pen that I am ena- 
bled to furnish this tribute to the memory of his justly celebrated 
pratron. 



520 APPENDIX. 

was entered on the roll as Steuben. He or his 
children now enjoy land given to hira in the town of 
Steuben by the Baron. This brave soldier met him 
after the war. *^ I am well settled, general/' said he, 
'^and have a wife and son, I have called my sou after 
you. Sir.'' " I thank you, my friend, what name 
have you given the boy?" "I called him Baron, 
what else could I call him ?" 

The Baron's office as inspector did not preclude 
him the privilege of command in the line according 
to his rank, and at one period he was commander of 
a separate detachment in Virginia, to oppose the 
ravages of the enemy in that quarter. It was with 
great difficulty that men could be procured for the 
service, every man was considered as an acquisition. 
The Baron was too honest to suffer an imposition to 
be practised on the public. A regiment had been 
collected, and was paraded on the point of marching, 
when a well looking man on horseback, and as it ap- 
peared his servant on another, rode up and informed 
the Baron that he had brought him a recruit. " I 
thank you. Sir," said the Baron, ^^ with all my heart, 
you have arrived in a happy moment, where is your 
man. Colonel ?" for he was colonel in the militia. 
Here, Sir, ordering his boy to dismount. The 
Baron's countenance changed, his aids saw and fear- 
ed the approaching storm. A sergeant was ordered 
to measure the lad, whose shoes when off discovered 
something by which his stature had been increased. 
The Baron patting the child's head with his hand 
trembling with rage, asked him how old he was ? 
He was very young, quite a child. " Sir," said he 
to the militia colonel, ^* you must have supposed me to 
be a rascal." Oh ! no. Baron, I did not. "Then, Sir, 
I suppose you to be a rascal, an infamous rascal thus 
to attempt to cheat your country. Sergeant, take 
off this fellow's spurs, and place him in the ranks, 
that we may have a man able to serve instead of an 
infant whom he would basely have made his substi- 



APPENDIX. 521 

tute ! Go, my boy, take the colonel's spurs and horse 
to his wife ; make my compliments, and say, her 
husband has gone to fight for the freedom of his 
country, as an Iionest man should do, and instantly 
ordered — platoons ! to the right, wheel ! forward 
march ! Colonel Gaskins, who commanded the regi- 
ment, fearing the consequences, after marching some 
distance, allowed the man to escape, who immediately 
made application to the civil authority for redress ; 
but Governor Jefferson, Mr. Madison and others, not 
doubting the purity of the Baron's motive, and fully 
appreciating his honest zeal, prevented any disagreea- 
ble results attending this high handed exertion of mil- 
itary power. At the siege of Yorktown tlie Baron 
was in the trenches at the head of his division, and 
received the first overture of Lord Cornwallis to 
capitulate. At the relieving hour next morning, the 
Marquis de la Fayette approached at the head of his 
division, to relieve him. The Baron refused to quit 
the trenches, assigning as a reason the etiquette in 
Europe, that the offer to capitulate had been made 
during his tour of duty, and that it was a point of 
honor of which he would not deprive his troops to 
remain in the trenches till the capitulation was signed 
or hostilities recommenced. The dispute was re- 
ferred to the Commander in Chief, and the Baron 
was permitted to remain till the British flag was 
struck. While on this duty the Baron perceiving 
himself in danger from a sliell thrown from the ene- 
my, threw himself suddenly into the trench ; General 
Wayne in the jeopardy and hurry of the moment fell 
on him ; the Baron, turning his eyes, saw it was his 
brigadier, '' I always knew you were brave, general," 
said he, " but I did not know you were so perfect 
in every point of duty, you cover your general's 
retreat in the best manner possible." 

" I have great delight," says Major Garden, ^^ m 
relating an anecdote which I received from General 
Walter Stewart ; the truth of which may be relied 
66 



522 APPENDIX. 

on." After the capture of Yorktown, the supe- 
rior oflGicers of the allied array, vied with each 
other in acts of civility and attention to the captive 
Britons. Lord Cornvvallis and his family were par- 
ticularly distinguished. Entertainments were given 
in succession by all the major generals, with the 
exception of Baron Steuben. He alone withheld 
an invitation, not from a wish to be particular, nor 
that his heart was closed to the attentions due to mis- 
fortune. His soul was superior to prejudice ; and, 
as a soldier, he tenderly sympathized in their fate, 
while poverty denied the means of displaying that 
liberality towards them, which had been shown by 
others. Such was his situation, when calling on Co- 
lonel Stewart, and informing him of his intention to 
entertain the British commander in chief, he re- 
quested, that he would advance him a sum of money 
as the price of his favorite charger. " 'Tis a good 
beast,'" said the Baron, " and has proved a faithful 
servant through all the dangers of the war ; but, 
though painful to my heart, we must part." Colonel 
Stewart, to prevent a step that he knew must be 
attended with great loss, and still greater incon- 
venience, immediately tendered his purse, recom- 
mending, should the sum it contained prove insuffi- 
cient, the sale or pledge of his watch. ^^My dear 
friend," said the Baron, " 'tis already sold. Poor 
North was sick and wanted necessaries. He is a 
brave fellow, and possesses the best of hearts. The 
trifle it brought is set apart for his use. My horse 
must go, so no more, I beseech you, to turn me from 
my purpose. I am a major general in the service 
of tlie United States, and my private convenience 
must not be put in the scale with the duty which 
my rank calls on me imperiously to perform." A very 
friendly intercourse subsisted between the officers of 
the French army and those of our own, and dining 
invitations could not always be reciprocated on our 
part for want of the means. "I can stand it no 



APPENDIX. 523 

longer," said the Baron, " we are continually dining 
with these gentlemen, and such is our penury that, 
except at head quarters, they receive no invitations 
in return — take, said he to one of his people, take the 
silver spoons and forks, and sell them, it is not repub- 
lican to eat with silver forks, and it is the part of a 
gentleman to pay his debts. They shall have one good 
dinner if I eat my soup with a wooden spoon forever 
after.'' 

The Baron returned to the northward and remain- 
ed with the army continually employed till the peace, 
in perfecting its discipline. The adroitness, and 
above all, the silence with which his manoeuvres were 
performed, was remarked with astonishment by the 
ofiicers of the French army. The Marquis de la 
val de Montmorency, a brigadier general, said to the 
Baron, ^^ I admire the celerity and exactitude with 
which your men perform, but what I cannot conceive 
is the profound silence with which they manoeuvre." 
" I don't know, Monsieur le Marquis, whence noise 
should proceed when even my brigadiers dare not 
open their mouths but to repeat the orders." 

The French troops were exceedingly loud in their 
evolutions and marches, and Mons. la Val at all times 
louder than the rest. On a subsequent occasion, de- 
signed to show the high degree of expertness at 
which our officers and soldiers had arrived, the 
Baron was asked by one of the French generals, what 
manoeuvres he intended to perform. On being in- 
formed, " Yes," replied the French chief, " I have 
seen particularly the last you mention performed 
by the Prussians in Silesia, but with a very complex 
addition," which he explained. *^But you will re- 
collect, general, that we are ^not quite Prussians." 
After his guests had retired the Baron said, " I will 
let these Frenchmen know that we can do what the 
Prussians can, and what their army cannot do, I will 
save those gentlemen who have not been in Silesia 
the trouble of going there, they may come to Ver- 



524 APPENDIX. 

plank's Point next week for instruction." They 
came, chiefs and subalterns, and every thing was 
done in the finest style to their real or pretended 
admiration. Here General North indulges his hon- 
orable feelings in the following apostrophe. "• Alas ! 
when I think of time past, of that da}^, and look to 
that eminence on which General Washington's mar- 
quee was pitched, in front of which stood that great 
man firm in the consciousness of virtue, surrounded 
by French nobles and the chiefs of his own army ; 
when I cast my eyes, then lighted up with soldierly 
ambition, hope and joy, along that lengthened line, 
my brothers all ! endeared by ties made strong by 
full communion in many a miserable, many a joyous 
hour, my heart sinks at the view ! Who, how few of 
all that brilliant host, is left ; these few are tottering 
on the confines of the grave ! The Baron's tent that 
day was filled, and more than filled with French- 
men. " I am glad," said he, '' to pay some part of 
the dinner debt we owe our allies." ^^ On the eve of 
returning to the northward from Virginia," con- 
tinues General North, '^ I was sick and unable to ac- 
company the Baron, he divided his purse with me^ the 
whole contents of which were two half joes ; his watch 
and silver spoons and forks, brought from Germany, 
were already disposed of. *I must go,' said the 
Baron, ' I must leave you, my son, but I leave you 
among a peoj)le where we have found the door of 
every house wide open ; where the heart of every 
female is full of tenderness and virtue. Quit this 
deleterious spot, the instant you are able, there is my 
sulkey, and here is half of what I have, God bless 
you, I can no more.' '^ Nor could he — the feelings 
of friends in such a moment, and under such circum- 
stances may possibly be conceived, but not expressed. 
A journey of three himdred miles was before him, 
a single piece of gold in his purse. Are other in- 
stances necessary to unfold the texture of his heart? 
how many have I writtea on my own ! There is, I 



APPENDIX. 525 

trust, a book, in which they, every one of tliem, are 
entered, to the credit of his account with heaven.*' 

General Washington had a liigh esteem for the 
Baron, and was fully sensible of iils worth and merits. 
On all proper occasions Congress v»ere urged in his 
behalf, and from time to time lie received of money, 
good and bad, sums vi^hich some narrow minded 
men thought much too large, though he proved satis- 
factorily that he had given up a salary of five hun- 
dred and eighty guineas a year in Europe. But 
what sums, how much could have been enough for 
one who searched around for worthy objects, whose 
wants might be relieved." " Never did a review 
or an inspection pass without rewards in money, 
to soldiers whose arms were in the highest order. 
Never was his table unfilled with guests if furnished 
with provisions. Oflicers of rank, men most promi- 
nent for knowledge and attention to their duty, were 
marked for invitation ; but the gentlemen of his 
family were desired to complete the list with others 
of inferior grade ;— poor fellows, said he, they have 
field officers' stomachs, without their rations." 

The Baron was rough as the ocean in a storm, 
when great faults were committed ; but if in a sud- 
den gust of passion, he had injured, the redress was 
ample. I recollect, that at a review near Morris- 
town, a Lieutenant Gibbons, a brave and good ofiicer, 
was arrested on the spot, and ordered into the rear, 
for a fault, which it afterwards appeared another 
had committed. At a proper moment, the com- 
mander of the regiment came forvv^ard and informed 
the Baron of Mr. Gibbon's innocence, of his worth, 
and of his acute feelings under this unmerited dis- 
grace. " Desire Lieutenant Gibbons to come to the 
front, colonel." " Sir," said the Baron, to the 
young gentleman, ^Hhe fault which was made, by 
throwing the line into confusion, might, in the pres- 
ence of an enemy, have been fatal. I arrested you 
as its supposed author, but I have reason to believe 



526 , APPENDIX. 

that I was mistaken, and that in this instance you 
were blameless ; I ask your pardon ; return to your 
command — I would not deal unjustly by any, much 
less by one whose character as an officer is so re- 
spectable.*' All this passed with the Baron's hat 
off, the rain pouring on his venerable head ! — Do 
you think there was an officer, a soldier who saw 
it, unmoved by affection and respect ? Not one." 

In the company of ladies, the Baron always ap- 
peared to peculiar advantage. At the house of the 
respectable Mrs. Livingston, mother of the late Chan- 
cellor, where virtue, talent and modest worth of 
every kind met a welcome reception, the Baron was 
introduced to a Miss Sheaf, an amiable and inter- 
esting young lady. " I am very happy," said he, 
^•^ in the honor of being presented to you, Made- 
moiselle, though I see it is at an infinite risk ; I have 
from my youth, been cautioned to guard myself 
against mischief, but I had no idea that her attrac- 
tions were so powerful." 

Dining at head quarters with Robert Morris, 
Esq. and other gentlemen, Mr. Morris complain- 
ed bitterly of the miserable state of the treasury. 
'^ Why," said the Baron, " are you not financier, why 
do you not continue to create funds ?" ^^ I have 
done all I can, it is not possible for me to do more." 
^^ But you remain financier though without finances ?" 
^' Yes." " Well, then, 1 do not think you are so 
honest a man as my cook. He came to me one day 
at Valley Forge, and said, ^^ Baron, I am your cook, 
and you have nothing to cook but a piece of lean 
beef, which is hung up by a string before the 
fire. Your negro wagxjner can turn the string and 
do as well as I can, you have promised me ten dol- 
lars a month, but as you have nothing to cook I wish 
to be discharged and not longer be chargeable to 
you. That is an honest fellow, Morris." 

Though never perfectly master of our language, 
Ihe Baron understood and spoke it with sufficient cor- 



APPENDIX. 527 

pectness. — He would sometimes on purpose miscall 
names, and blend or adopt words similar in sound, dis- 
similar in meaning. Dining at head quarters, which he 
did frequently, Mrs. Washington asked what amuse- 
ment he had recourse to now that the certainty of 
peace had relaxed his labors ? ^ I read, my lady, and 
write, and play chess, and yesterday for the first time, 
I went a fishing. My gentleman told me it was a very 
fine business to catch fish, and I did not know but 
that this new trade might, by and by, be useful to 
me — but I fear 1 never can succeed — I sat in the 
boat three hours, it was exceedingly warm, and I 
caught only two fish ; they told me it was fine sport.' 
^ What kind of fish did you take. Baron?' ^I am 
not sure, my lady, but I believe one of thera 
was a whale.' ^ A whale, Baron, in the North 
river ?' * Yes, I assure you, a very fine whale, my 
lady; — it was a whale, was it not?' appealing to 
one of his aids. ^An eel, Baron.' ^I beg your par- 
don, my lady, but that gentleman certainly told me 
it was a whale.' " General Washington, now that 
his mind was comparatively at ease, enjoyed a pleas- 
antry of this kind highly." 

For the proper understanding of the following 
bon mot of General Washington, it must be men- 
tioned that at Tatawa falls there was a miserable de- 
formed object, who had lain in his cradle for twenty 
seven years. His head was eighteen inches in length, 
and the rest of his body twenty seven inches. He 
received numerous visitors, among whom was his 
Excellency, who asked him whether he was a whig 
or tory ? He answered as he had been taught, 
that he had never taken an active part on either 
side.* '^ A worthy gentleman and lady came out 
of New York after the preliminaries of peace were 
signed, to visit their friends, and resided in the 
neighborhood of Baron Steuben, by whom the whole 

*See page 243 of this volnme. 



528 APPENDIX. 

party, together with his Excellency and lady, were 
invited to dine. It is proper, said the Baron, that 

your Excellency should be apprized that Mr. 

and his lady from New York are to dine with me, and 

perhaps, Sir, you may not choose to meet Mr. . 

Oh, Baron, said the General, laughing, there is no dif- 
ficulty on that point. Mr. is very like the big 

headed boy at Tatav/a, he never has taken an active 
part. This was allowed to be a most adroit coup de 
sabre by those who knew the gentleman, though it is 
doubted whether if he had heard it he would have 
felt the stroke. 

At the disbandment of the revolutionary army, 
when inmates of the same tent, or hut, for seven long 
years, were separating, and probably forever ; grasp- 
ing each other's hand, in silent agony, I sav*' the 
Baron's strong endeavors to throw some ray of sun- 
shine on the gloom, to mix some drop of cordial 
with the painful draught. To go, they knew not 
whither ; all recollection of the art to thrive by 
civil occupations lost, or to the youthful never 
known. Their hard earned military knowledge 
worse than useless, and with their badge of brother- 
hood, a mark at which to point the finger of sus- 
picion — ignoble, vile suspicion ! to be cast out on a 
world, long since by them forgotten. — Severed from 
friends, and all the joys and griefs which soldiers 
feel ! Griefs, while hope remained — when shared 
by numbers, almost joys ! To go in silence and 
alone, and poor and hopeless ; it was too hard ! On 
that sad day how many hearts were wrung ! I saw 
it all, nor will the scene be ever blurred or blotted 
from my view. To a stern old officer, a Lieutenant 
Colonel Cochran from the Green Mountains, who had 
met danger and difficulty almost in every step, from 
his youtli, and from whose furrowed visage, a tear 
till that moment had never fallen ; the good Baron 
said — what could be said, to lessen deep distress ? 
For myself, said Cochran, " I care not, I can stand it ; 



APPENDIX. 529 

but my wife and daughters are in the garret of that 
wretched tavern. I know not where to remove, nor 
have I means for their removal !" ^ Come, my friend,' 
said the Baron, * let us go — I will pay my respects 
to Mrs. Cochran and your daughters, if you please.' 
^' I followed to the loft, the lower rooms being all 
filled with soldiers, with drunkenness, despair and 
blasphemy. And when the Baron left the poor un- 
happy cast-aways, he left hope with them, and all he 
had to give." *^A black man, with wounds unheal- 
ed, wept on the wharf — (for it was at Newburgh 
where this tragedy was acting) — there was a vessel 
in the stream, bound to the place where he once had 
friends. He had not a dollar to pay his passage, 
and he could not walk. Unused to tears, I saw them 
trickle down this good man's cheeks as he put into 
the hands of the black man the last dollar he possessed. 
The negro hailed the sloop, and cried, ^God Al- 
mighty bless you, master Baron !' 

What good and honorable man, civil or military, 
before the accursed party-spirit murdered friend- 
ships, did not respect and love the Baron ? Who most? 
Those who knew him best. After the peace the 
Baron retired to a ferm in the vicinity of New York, 
where with forming a system for the organization and 
discipline of the militia, books, chess and the fre- 
quent visits of his numerous friends, he passed his 
time as agreeably as a frequent want of funds would 
permit. The state of New Jersey had given him a 
small improved farm, and the state of New York gave 
him a tract of sixteen thousand acres of land in the 
county of Oneida. After the general government 
was in full operation, by the exertions of Colonel 
Hamilton, patronized and enforced by President 
Washington, a grant of two thousand five hundred 
dollars per annum was made to him for life. The 
summers were now chiefly spent on his land, and his 
winters in the city. His sixteen thousand acres of 
land were in the uncultivated wilderness ; he built a 
67 



530 APPENDIX. 

convenient log house, cleared sixty acres, parceled 
out his land on ensy terms to twenty or thirty tenants, 
distributed nearly a tenth of the tract in gifts to his 
aids de camp and servants, and sat hiniself down to a 
certain degree contented without society, except 
that of a young gentleman who read to and with him. 
He ate only at dinner, but he ate with strong appe- 
tite. In drinking he was always temperate, indeed 
he was free from every vicious habit. His powers 
of mind and body were strong, and he received to a 
certain extent a liberal education. His days were 
undoubtedly shortened by his sedentary mode of life. 
He was seized with an apoplexy which in a few hours 
was fatal. Agreeably to his desire often expressed, 
he was wrapped in his cloak, placed in a plain coflin 
and hid in the earth, withont a stone to tell where 
he lies. A few neighbors, his servants, the young 
gentleman his late companion, and one on whom for 
fifteen years his countenance never ceased to beam 
with kindness, followed to the grave. It was in 
a thick, a lonely wood, but in a few years after a 
public highway was opened near or over the hal- 
lowed sod ! Colonel Walker snatched the poor re- 
mains of his dear friend from sacrilegious violation, 
and gave a bounty to protect the grave in which he 
laid them, from rude and impious intr;ision. He- 
died in 1 795, in the 65th year of his age. 

'' Some few years previous to the Baron's death, a 
pious gentleman of the city of New York, who had 
a great affection for him, told me, with strong marks 
of ]oy, that they had passed the evening, and a part 
of the last night together — that the Baron confessed 
his full belief in Jesus Christ, with sure and certain 
hope, through him, of a blessed immortality. ^From 
the life our dear friend has led, in camps and in 
the gay world,' said the good man, ^ I feared : and 
you do not know what joy I feel, in the belief that 
he will be well to all eternity !' The Baron was a 
member of the Reformed German Church, in New 
York. " 



APPENDIX. 531 

General North from the impulse of his own affec- 
tionate and grateful feelings, erected a handsome 
monument with an ap})ropriate inscription in the 
Heibrmed German Church in New York to the mem- 
ory of his illustrious patron and friend, and these 
pages accord with the views of that memorial in 
transmitting to posterity a renowned hero whose name 
and Invaluable labors should never be forgotten. 

What remained of the Baron's estate, excepting 
one thousand dollars and his library, which he willed 
to a youth whose father had rendered essential ser- 
vice in the war, and whose education he generously 
charged himself with, was bequeathed to his two af- 
fectionate aids de camps. 



THE MAEqUIS DE LA FAYETTE, 

MAJOR GENERAL. 

The name and character of this illustrious French 
nobleman, will occupy a conspicuous place in our rev- 
olutionary annals, and be honored by posterity no 
less for his enthusiastic love of liberty, than for his 
heroism and military renown. There is something 
truly romantic in the history of this celebrated per- 
sonage. In the year 1776, at the immature age of 
nineteen, he espoused the cause of the Americans, 
and nobly resolved to afford our country all possible 
assistance by his persoisal services and influence. 
At this era the affairs of America were bordering 
on despair, and were represented in France as so de- 
plorable that it might be supposed sufficient to re- 
press the most determined zeal. Reports were 
propagated in that country that our army, reduced to 
a mere rabble, was flying before an army of thirty 
thousand regulars, nor was this very wide from the 
reality. In consequence of this, our commissioners 



532 APPENDIX. 

found it impossible to procure a vessel to convey the 
Marquis and their own despatches to Congress ; 
they could not therefore feel justified in encourag- 
ing his bold contemplated enterprize. This em- 
barrassment however, had the effect of increasing 
rather than of restraining his youthful ardor and 
heroism. He imparted to the commissioners his de- 
termination to purchase and fit out a vessel to con- 
vey himself and their despatches to America. This 
project was deemed so extraordinary and important, 
that it did not fail to engage universal attention. 
The French court had not then declared even a 
friendly intention towards America, but on the con- 
trary was extremely cautious of giving offence to the 
British government. Orders were therefore given 
prohibiting the departure of this nobleman, and ves- 
sels were even despatched to the West Indies to 
intercept him, in case he should take that route. 
The Marquis was well apprized that he exposed him- 
self to the loss of his fortune by the laws of France ; 
and that, should he ftiU into the hands of the English, 
on his passage, he would be liable to a confinement 
of uncertain duration, and without a prospect of 
being exchanged. These considerations however, 
did not deter him from the attempt, and bidding 
adieu to his amiable consort and numerous endeared 
connexions, and trusting to good fortune to favor his 
elopement, he embarked, and in due time arrived 
safe in Charleston, in the summer of 1776. He 
landed soon after the noble defence made by General 
Moultrie at the fort on Sullivan's Island. Charmed 
with the gallantry displayed by that general and his 
brave troops, the Marquis presented him with 
clothing, arms and accoutrements for one hundred 
men. He met with a cordial reception from our 
Congress, and they immediately accepted his prof- 
fered services. He insisted that he would receive 
no compensation, and that he would commence his 
services as a volunteer. This noble philanthropist 



APPENDIX. 533 

was received into the family of the Commander in 
Chief, where a strong mutual attachment was con- 
tracted, and he has often been called the adopted 
son of Washington. July 31st, 1777, Congress re- 
solved, that, '' Whereas the Marquis de la Fayette out 
of his great zeal to the cause of liberty in which the 
United States are engaged, has left his family and con- 
nexions and at his own expense come over to offer 
his services to the United States without pension or 
particular allowance, and is anxious to risk his life 
in our cause — Resolved that his service be accepted, 
and that in consideration of his zeal, illustrious family 
and connexions, he have the rank and commission of 
major general in the army of the United States." 
At the battle of Brandy wine, September, 1777, the 
Marquis exhibited full proof of his undaunted bravery 
and military character, and received a wound in his 
leg. In May, 1778, with a select corps of two 
thousand five hundred men, he crossed the Schuyl- 
kill and took post about twelve miles in front of our 
army at Valley Forge. A quaker in whose house he 
was to lodge, sent information to the enemy, who 
formed an instantaneous design of surprizing him. 
General Gray, on the night of the 19th of May, 
marched with seven thousand men, and by a skilful 
movement got into the Marquis' rear, while another 
detachment was advancing to his front. The Mar- 
quis fortunately gained intelligence of their approach, 
and by a prompt decision effected his retreat and re- 
crossed the river in season to defeat the design of 
the enemy. Had they succeeded, it must not only 
have proved fatal to the Marquis and his detachment 
but placed the remainder of our army in a situation 
of extreme hazard. In August, 1778, the Marquis 
repaired to Rhode Island, to assist in the expedition 
under Major General Sullivan, in conjunction with 
the French fleet, and he received the particular ap- 
probation and applause of Congress, for his judicious 
and highly important services. In January, 1779, 



534 APPENDIX. 

the Marquis embarked at Boston, on a voyage to 
France, and was subjected to imminent danger from 
a conspiracy among the sailors, a great part of whom 
were British. He returned in May, 1780, bringing 
the joyful intelligence that a French fleet and army 
would soon arrive on our coast. Through his great 
zeal for the cause of the United States, he exerted 
his influence with his government, no longer fearful 
of giving offence to the English, to afford money and 
troops and other important succors. He was soon 
put at the head of a select corps of light infantry for 
the service of the campaign. This afforded him a 
new opportunity for the display of his munificence. 
He presented to every officer under his command an 
elegant sword, and his soldiers were clothed in uni- 
form principally at his expense. He infused into 
this corps a spirit of pride and emulation, viewing it 
as one formed and modeled according to his own 
wishes, and as deserving his highest confidence. 
They were the pride of his heart and he the idol of 
their regard ; constantly panting for an opportunity 
of accomplishing some signal achievement worthy 
of his and their character. This corps w^as pro- 
nounced equal to any that could be produced in any 
country. In December, 1780, he marched with one 
thousand two hundred light infantry for Virginia, 
to counteract the devastations of Arnold and Phillips. 
He made a forced march of two hundred miles and 
prevented General Phillips' possessing himself of 
Richmond, and secured the stores of that place. 
At one period there was not a single pair of shoes in 
his whole command, and such was his zeal and gen- 
erous spirit, and such the confidence and respect of 
the people, that he was enabled to borrow of the 
merchants of Baltimore two thousand guineas on his 
own credit, with which he purchased shoes and other 
necessary articles for his troops. The Marquis was 
employed in watching the motions of Lord Cornwallis 
in Virginia, with an inferior force ; in this arduous 



APPENDIX. 535 

duty he displayed the judgment, skill and prudence 
of a veteran, with the ardor of youth. In a skirmish 
near Jamestown, not a man in the whole detachment 
was more exposed, and one of his horses was killed. 

Lord Cornwallis having encamped near Jamestown, 
the Marquis La Fayette sent General Wayne with 
the Pennsylvania troops to take their station with- 
in a small distance of the British army and watch 
their motions. The two advanced parties were soon 
engaged, and General Wayne drove that of the enemy 
back to ^heir lines, and without stopping there, at- 
tacked the whole British army, drawn up in order of 
battle and charged them with bayonets. The action 
was extremly severe for the little time it lasted, but 
the disproportion of numbers was so great that the 
enemy was on the point of surrounding our troops, 
when the Marquis arrived in person, just time 
enough to oit'der a retreat, by which they were 
rescued from their hazardous situation, after suffer- 
ing considerable loss. 

General Henry Lee, in his Memoirs of the War in 
the Southern States, eulogizes the character and con- 
duct of La Fayette, when compelled to fly before the 
British commander, in the following language. 

^^ In this period of gloom, of disorder and of peril, 
La Fayette was collected and undismayed. With 
zeal, with courage, and with sagacity, he discharged 
his arduous duties ; and throughout his difficult re- 
treat was never brought even to array but once in 
order for battle. — Invigorating our councils by his 
precepts ; dispelling our despondency by his exam- 
ple ; and encouraging his troops to submit to their 
many privations, by the cheerfulness with which he 
participated in their wants ; he imparted the energy 
of his own mind to the country, and infused his high- 
toned spirit into the army." 

Great encomiums were passed on the Marquis for 
his humanity and goodness in visiting and admin- 
istering to the relief of the wounded soldiers. Lord 



536 APPENDIX. 

Cornwallis having received a reinforcement, was so 
confident of success against his young antagonist, 
that he imprudently said in a letter which was inter- 
cepted, '^ the boy cannot escape meP He planned 
the surprize of the Marquis while on the same side 
of James river with himself, but in this he was 
baffled by means of a spy, whom the Marquis sent 
into the enemy's camp to obtain some necessary in- 
telligence.* A combination of talents and skill de- 
feated all the energies of physical- power. During 
the siege of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown, the Mar- 
quis was among the most active and intrepid of the 
general officers, and he commanded a detachment of 
our light infantry, which successfully assaulted the 
British redoubt on the right of our lines. Previous 
to his departure from Yorktown, he issued his last 
orders to his favorite corps of infantry, in which are 
contained the following expressions. 

" In the moment the major general leaves this 
place, he wishes once more to express his gratitude 
to the brave corps of light infantry, who for nine 
months past, have been the companions of his for- 
tunes. He will never forget that with them alone, 
of regidar troops, he had the good fortune to ma- 
noeuvre before an a^my which after all its reductions 
is still six times superior to the regular force he had 
at that time." 

The Marquis now perceiving that the mighty 
contest for American Independence, in which he 
had been so nobly engaged, was near its completion, 
was about to return with the well earned laurels on 
his brow to his king and country. Congress resolved 
November 23d, 1781, " that major general the Mar- 
quis de la Fayette be informed that on a review of 
his conduct throughout the past campaign, and par- 
ticularly during the period in which he had the 
chief command in Virginia, the many new proofs 
which present themselves of his zealous attachment 

* See page 359 of this volume, for further particulars. 



APPENDIX. 337 

to the cause he has espoused and of his judgment, 
vigilance, gallantry and address in its defence, have 
greatly added to the high opinion entertained by 
Congress of his merit and military talents." Dur- 
ing his military career in America, the Marquis 
displayed that patriotism, integrity, humanity, and 
every other virtue which characterize real greatness 
of soul. His manners being easy, affable and en- 
gaging, he was particularly endeared to the officers 
and soldiers under his command; they admired, 
loved, and revered him as their guide and support 
when in peril, and their warmest friend when in 
perplexity and trouble. The most affectionate at- 
tachment subsisted between him and the illustrious 
Chief under whose banners it was his delight to serve, 
and whose language was, " this nobleman unites to 
all the military fire of youth, an uncommon maturity 
of judgment.'' 

His very soul burned with the spirit of enterprize, 
and he manifested a disinterestedness and devotion 
to the cause of freedom, ever to be admired and ap- 
plauded by a grateful people. He ever discovered 
both in design and execution those traits of genius, 
and that intuitive knowledge of tactics, which desig- 
nate the great man, and the successful warrior. 
The people of the United States are fully apprized 
of their high obligations to him, and their history 
will transmit the name of La Fayette with grateful 
acknowledgments to the latest posterity. It is grati- 
fying to learn that Congress granted him a valuable 
tract of land, as a compensation in part for his disin- 
terested patriotism and important services. 

When in December, 1784, the Marquis was about 
to take his final departure from America, Congress 
appointed a committee consisting of one member 
from each state to receive him, and in the name of 
Congress to take leave of him in such manner as might 
strongly manifest their esteem and regard for him. 
That they be instructed to assure him, that Congress 
68 



338 APPENDIX. 

continue to entertain the same high sense of his 
abilities and zeal to promote the welfare of America, 
both here and in Europe, which they have frequently 
expressed and manifested on former occasions. That 
the United States regard him with particular afi'ec- 
tion, and will not cease to feel an interest in what- 
<, ver may concern his honor and prosperity, and that 
their best and kindest wishes will always attend him. 
Congress resolved also that a letter be written to his 
Most Christian Majesty expressive of the high sense 
which the United States, in Congress assembled, en- 
tertain of the zeal, talents and meritorious services 
of the Marquis de la Fayette, and recommending 
him to the favor and patronage of his majesty. The 
Marquis made a very respectful and affectionate re- 
ply, in which he expressed the lively feelings of a 
heart devoted to the welfare of our rising empire, 
and gratefully acknowledged that at a time when 
an inexperienced youth, he was favored with his 
respected friend's paternal adoption. He thus con- 
cludes his address. '' May this immense temple of 
freedom ever stand as a lesson to oppressors, an ex- 
ample to the oppressed, a sanctuary for the rights 
of mankind ; and may these happy United States 
attain that complete splendor and prosperity which 
will illustrate the blessings of their government, and 
for ages to come rejoice the departed souls of its 
founders. Never can Congress oblige me so much 
as when they put it in my power in every part of 
the world to the latest day of my life to gratify the 
attachment which will ever rank me among the 
most zealous and respectful servants of the United 
States." 



APPENDIX. 539 

JIJJOR GEJ\''ESJL HORATIO GJITES 

General Gates was a native of England, and was 
educated to the military profession. He was an offi- 
cer under the unfortunate Braddock, in the expedi- 
tion against Fort du Quesne, in the, year 1755, and 
who after receiving a dangerous wound, was with the 
illustrious Washington, among the few officers who 
escaped with life on that memorable occasion. When 
the American colonies were forced to assume a hos- 
tile attitude, Gates had been for some time a resident 
in Virginia, and having evinced his zeal and attach- 
ment to the violated rights of his adopted country, 
and sustaining a high military reputation, he was by 
Congress appointed adjutant general, with the rank 
of brigadier, and he accompanied General Washing- 
ton to our camp at Cambridge, in July, 1775. On 
the retreat of our forces from Canada, the chief com- 
mand in that department was conferred on him in 
June, 1776. He continued the retreat of our army 
from Crown Point to Ticonderoga, which did not 
fully accord with the views of Congress and the Com- 
mander in Chief. The British forces having retired 
to winter quarters in Canada, Gates marched with a 
detachment of his command and joined the main army 
in Jersey, in the autumn of that year. His sphere 
of action was not brilliant or splendid, till his mighty 
achievement in the capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga ; 
nor is he justly and exclusively entitled to the full 
measure of applause acquired by that most glorious 
victory ; the magnanimous General Schuyler,* whom 

* Major General Philip Schuyler. It has been observed that neither 
history nor biography has rendered justice to this highly meritorious 
character. He possessed a clear understanding, a strong mind, a 
humane and generous disposition. No individual could have contributed 
more largely by his vigilance and efficiency, to augment the obstacles 
to the march of the British army to Fort Edward. His name should be 
enrolled with the renowned band of military patriots and heroes, that 
posterity may know the eminent services which his splendid talents 
conferred on his country. 



540 APPENDIX. 

he superseded in command, had, by his indefatiga- 
ble industry, and almost unprecedented labors, raised 
the most formidable impediments to the march of 
Burgoyne, which tended more than is generally im- 
agined, to facilitate the conquest made by the northern 
army. 

When General Gates succeeded to the command of 
the northern army, August, 1777, Generals Schuy- 
ler and St. Clair, were suffering, though most un- 
justly, the public odium by the evacuation of Ticon- 
deroga, and their successor in command was in high 
repute and confidence with his officers and soldiers. 
Burgoyne's right wing, under St Leger, had been 
cut off at Fort Stanwix, and his left at Bennington^ 
by General Stark. Our army was daily increasing 
in numbers, and considerably exceeded the strength 
of the enemy, and our troops were greatly invigorat- 
ed with courage and determined on victory. Every 
circumstance in fact was auspicious to a successful 
issue. Burgoyne still perceived that in proportion 
as he advanced, obstacles multiplied on every side. 
Having at length surmounted almost insuperable 
difficulties, he passed the Hudson and advanced to 
Saratoga. Gates also advanced to Stillwater, and 
boldly faced his formidable foe ; and on the 19th of 
September, a sanguinary conflict ensued. Both 
parties firm and unyielding, both attained the high 
honors of the brave, but neither bore the palm of 
a complete victory from the field. While Bur- 
goyne's loss was irretrievable, the force and the 
ardor of his antagonist were continually augmenting. 
Every day's delay now increased the heavy embar- 
rassments of Burgoyne, while time threw additional 
advantages into the hands of his spirited opponent ; 
till at length, it became obvious that retreat or vic- 
tory was his unavoidable alternative ; but on trial, it 
was proved to his utter dismay, that neither resource 
was at his command. On the 7th of October, the 
two opposing armies rushed again to the field of 



APPENDIX. 541 

slaughter, and both were satiated with blood and 
carnage. The British army were repulsed in every 
direction, and its commander was led to the painful 
conviction that a more disastrous fate awaited him. 
Burgoyne now driven to the brink of despair, his 
forces disabled, his provisions exhausted, and a vic- 
torious adversary opposing him in front, resolved on 
a rapid retreat, but on exploring the route, behold, 
his adversary was there. 

The dreaded crisis had now arrived, when a capit- 
ulation was alone practicable. Articles not very dis- 
honorable to the vanquished enemy were acceded to, 
and General Gates enjoyed the ineffable satisfaction 
of receiving in submission, the once victorious chief. 
To the honor of General Gates it is mentioned, that 
the captured troops were directed to a sequestered 
spot to ground their arms, that their feelings might 
not be wounded in the presence of our army, though 
it deprived the latter of a satisfaction in which they 
were justly entitled to participate. An interesting 
narrative of the first interview between the victor 
and the captured officers is thus given by Adjutant 
General Wilkinson. " General Burgoyne proposed 
to be introduced to General Gates, and we crossed 
the Fishkill and proceeded to head quarters on horse- 
back, General Burgoyne in front with his Adjutant 
General Kingston, and his aids de camp Captain Lord 
Petersham and Lieutenant Wilford, behind him ; 
then followed Major General Phillips, the Baron 
Reidesel and the other general officers and their suits 
according to rank. General Gates advised of Bur- 
goyne's approach met him at the head of his camp. 
Burgoyne in a rich royal uniform, and Gates in a 
plain blue frock, when they approached nearly with- 
in sword's length they reined up and halted. I then 
named the gentleman, and General Burgoyne raising 
his hat most gracefully, said, ^^the fortune of warj 
General Gates, has made me your prisoner,'*' to which 
the conqueror, returning a courtly salute, promptly 



b-i'Z APPENDIX. 

replied, ^' I shall always be ready to bear testimony, 
that it has not been through any fault of your Excel- 
lency." Major General Phillips then advanced, and 
he and General Gates saluted, and shook hands with the 
familiarity of old acquaintances. The Baron Reidesel 
and other officers were introduced in their turn." 
General Gates was remarkable for his humanity to 
prisoners, and a desire to mitigate the sufferings of 
the unfortunate. Among the objects in distress who 
claimed his attention, was Lady Ackland, whose hus- 
band was wounded and captured during the battle 
of the 7th of October. General Gates bestowed on 
her the care and tenderness of a parent. In reply 
to a letter from General Burgoyne in her behalf, he 
says, "the respect due to her ladyship's rank, the 
tenderness due to her person and sex, were sufficient 
recommendations to entitle her to my protection. I 
am surprized that your Excellency should think that 
I could consider the greatest attention to Lady Ack- 
land in the light of an obligation.'** 

General Gates received the thanks of Congress, 
and a gold medal, as a memorial of their gratitude. 
Great was the credit which he acquired by this mo- 
mentous event, universal joy pervaded the country, 
and all ranks were ready to vie with each other in 
their homage to the fortunate conqueror. It was not 
long after, that the wonderful discovery was suppos- 
ed to be made, that the illustrious Washington was 
incompetent to the task of conducting the operations 
of the American army, and that General Gates, if 
elevated to the important station of commander in 
chief, would speedily meliorate the condition of our 
affairs. A discontented party in Congress, with a 
few interested individuals in our army, constituted 
the faction hostile to the savior of his country. Gen- 
eral Gates himself was strongly suspected of more 
than a passive acquiescence, and there were those 

*For a history of this lady, see pagp 132 and 437. 



APPENDIX. 543 

who imputed to him a principal agency in the aifair, 
which however, he promptly disavowed. Had the 
project succeeded, it would in all probability have 
sealed the ruin of our army and sacrificed the glori- 
ous cause of our country. But all the eclat which 
General Gates had acquired, and all the splendor of 
his name were insufficient to proselyte a single officer 
to his interest. He was not endowed with that dig- 
nity, and with those illustrious qualities which were 
requisite to command the confidence and reverence 
of the army as the successor of the much beloved 
Washington. I am assured by Governor Brooks, that 
being in company with a number of respectable offi- 
cers at Valley Forge when the subject was canvassed, 
General Weedon, of Virginia, \)'ith great vehemence 
declared, that should General Gates be preferred to 
the chief command, he never would serve under him, 
but would absolutely resign his commission and quit 
the service, and all present were in unison with him 
in opinion. 

A private correspondence was maintained between 
the intriguing General Conway and General Gates, 
criticising and reprobating the measures pursued by 
General Washington, and in one of Conway's letters 
lie ascribes our want of success to a weak general 
and bad counselloi'S. General Gates, on finding that 
General Washington had been apprized of this cor- 
respondence, addressed his Excellency, requesting 
that he would disclose the name of his informant, 
And extraordinary as it may appear, in violation of 
the rules of decorum, he addressed the Commander 
in Chief on a subject of extreme delicacy in an 
open letter, transmitted to the President of Congress. 
His pretence was, that some of the members of that 
body might aid in detecting the person who made 
the communication. General Washington however, 
made no hesitancy in disclosing the name and the 
circumstances which brought the affair to light. Gen- 
eral Gates then with inexcusable disingenuousness 



544 APPENDIX. 

attempted to vindicate the conduct of Conway, and 
to deny that his letter contained the reprehensible 
expressions in question, but utterly refused to pro- 
duce the original letter. This subject however, was 
so ably and candidly discussed by General Washing- 
ton, as to cover his adversary with shame and humili- 
ation, and he was glad to discontinue the investiga- 
tion. It was thought to be inexcusable in General 
Gates, that he neglected to communicate to the Com- 
mander in Chief an account of so important an event 
as the capture of the British army at Saratoga, but 
left his Excellency to obtain information by common 
report. In November, 1777, Congress having new 
modeled the board of war, appointed General Gates 
the president, and he entered on the duties of the 
office, but retained his rank in the army. The sub- 
ject of this sketch was destined to experience in a 
remarkable manner, the humiliating vicissitudes of 
fortune. He had the conducting of the most pros- 
perous, and the most disastrous of the military en- 
terprize, in the war. In June, 1780, General Gates 
was by Congress vested with the chief command of 
our army in the southern states. In a general battle 
at Camden,* August 15th, being the first and only 
encounter which he had with Lord Cornwallis, he 
suffered a total defeat and was obliged to fly from 
the enemy for personal safety, and thus was the 
prediction of General Lee, when Gates was vested 
with the command, tliat his northern laurels would 
be exchanged for southern zvillows, verified. It 
would however be great injustice, to attribute the 
misfortune altogether to the commander under his 
peculiar circumstances ; a large proportion of his 

* In the "lisfistrous battle at Camden, the Baron de Kalb, a brave and 
experienced Prussian officer, and major jfencral in onr service, was un- 
fortunately ,s]ain. It v.as said that this heroic officer caulioned Gen- 
eral Gates against a general action, under present circumstances. Ili;^ 
exit was marked with unfading glory, and liis distingr.isiied merit was 
gratefully ackHfnvjedg':=d by C'lngreps, in erecting a monument (o his 
nnenioiy. 



APPENDIX. 545 

force consisted of raw militia, who were panic struck* 
and fled at the first fire, their rout was absolute and 
irretrievable. It may be observed nevertheless, that 
his conduct in some respects on this occasion did not 
meet the approbation of those who must be admitted 
as competent judges of the military operations of that 
fatal day. Proudly calculating on the weight of his 
name, and too confident in his own superiority, he 
slighted the counsel which he ought to have respect- 
ed, and hurrying impetuously into the field of battle, 
his tide of prosperity ebbed as fast at Camden as it 
had flowed at Saratoga. 

The plot to supplant General Washington is estab- 
lished beyond question, and it will be only sufficient 
to quote the following extracts from the letters of the 
two purest patriots and men that have ever lived, to 
satisfy of its truth those who are not familiar with the 
events of that period. Patrick Henry, writing on 
the subject to General Washington, says : — 

^^ While you face the armed enemies of our liberty 
in the field, and, by the favor of God, have been 
kept unhurt, I trust your country will never harbor 
in her bosom the miscreant who would ruin her best 
supporter. I wish not to flatter ; but when arts un- 
worthy honest men are used to defame and traduce 
you, I think it not amiss, but a duty, to assure 
you of that estimation in which the public hold 
you. Not that I think any testimony I can bear, is 
necessary for 3'^our support, or private satisfaction, 
for a bare recollection of what is past must give you 
sufficient pleasure in ev3ry circumstance of life. But 
I cannot help assuring you, on this occasion, of the 
high sense of gratitude which all ranks of men, in this 
your native country, bear to you. It will give me 
sincere pleasure to manifest my regards, and render 
my best services to you or yours. I do not like to 
make a parade of these things, and I know you are 
not fond of it ; however, I hope the occasion will 
plead my excuse." 
69 



346 APPENDIX. 

To which General Washington replies — 
*^The anonymous letter with which you were pleas- 
ed to favor me was written by ************, so far 
as I can judge from a similitude of hands.*^****** 
" My caution to avoid any thing that could injure 
the service prevented me from communicating, ex- 
cept to a very few of my friends, the intrigues of a 
faction which I know was formed against me, since it 
might serve to publish our internal dissensions, but 
their own restless zeal to advance their views has too 
clearly betrayed them, and made concealment on my 
part fruitless. I cannot precisely mark the extent 
of their views, but it appeared in general, that Gen- 
eral Gates was to be exalted on the ruin of my repu- 
tation and influence. This I am authorized to say 
from undeniable facts in my possession, from publica- 
tions, the evident scope of which could not be mis- 
taken, and from private detractions industriously 
circulated. **^*********^, it is generally sup- 
posed, bore the second part in the cabal ; and Gen- 
eral Conway, I know, was a very active and malig- 
nant partizan ; but I have good reason to believe 
that their machinations have recoiled most sensibly 
on themselves." 

Yet in the face of this evidence of the fact. Gen- 
eral Armstrong recently avows that " the slander 
propagated and believed for half a century, that two 
distinguished officers of the army of the revolution 
had conspired to put down the Commander in Chief, 
is an impudent and vile falsehood, from beginning 
to endP 

General Gates was displaced from his command 
by order of Congress, and his conduct subjected to 
the inquiry of a special court, which resulted in his 
acquittal, but his Saratoga laurels had faded, and he 
was unable to retrieve his suffering fame. 

^^ It was the general opinion that General Gates 
was not treated by Congress with that delicacy, or 
indeed gratitude, that was due to an officer of his 



APPENDIX. 547 

acknowledged merit. He however, received the 
order of his supersedure and suspension, and resign- 
ed the command to General Greene with becoming 
dignity." General Greene asserted that if there was 
any mistake in the conduct of Gates, it was in hazard- 
ing an action at all against such superior force. 

He was reinstated in his military command in the 
main army in 1782, but the great scenes of war were 
now passed, and he could only participate in the 
painful scene of a final separation. 

In the midst of his misfortune General Gates was 
called to mourn the afilictive dispensation of Provi- 
dence in the death of his only son. Major Garden 
in his excellent publication has recorded the follow- 
ing affecting anecdote which he received from Dr. 
William Reed. 

" Having occasion to call on General Gates, rela- 
tive to the business of the department under my im- 
mediate charge, I found him traversing the apart- 
ment which he occupied, under the influence of 
high excitement ; his agitation was excessive — every 
feature of his countenance, every gesture betrayed 
it. Official despatches informing him that he was 
superseded, and that the command of the southern 
army had been transferred to General Greene, 
had just been received and perused by him. His 
countenance, however, betrayed no expression of 
irritation or resentment; it w^is sensibility alone that 
caused his emotion. An open letter which he held 
in his hand, was often raised to his lips, and kissed 
with devotion, while the exclamation repeatedly 
escaped them — • Great man ! Noble, generous pro- 
cedure !' When the tumult of his mind had sub- 
sided, and his thoughts found utterance, he, with 
strong expression of feeling, exclaimed — ' I have re- 
ceived this day a communication from the Com- 
mander in Chief, which has conveyed more consola- 
tion to my bosom, more ineffable delight to my heart, 
than I had believed it possible for it ever to have 



548 APPENDIX. 

felt again. With affectionate tenderness he sympa- 
thizes with me in my domestic misfortunes, and con- 
doles with me on the loss I have sustained by the 
recent death of an only son : and then with peculiar 
delicacy, lamenting my misfortune in battle, assures 
me, that his confidence in my zeal and capacity is so 
little impaired, that the command of the right wing 
of the army will be bestowed on me so soon as I can 
make it convenient to join him.' " 

When the revolution was completed General Gates 
retired to his plantation in Virginia, where he con- 
tinued about seven years, when he with his wife 
took up his final residence in the neighborhood of 
New York. In civil life General Gates was a zealous 
partizan, but he was always disappointed in his am- 
bitious views. In 1800, he was elected to the New 
York legislature to answer the purpose of a party, 
and withdrew again to private life as soon as that 
purpose was answered. During the federal adminis- 
tration of the general government, he was found in 
the ranks of the opposite or minor party, which ex- 
cluded him altogether from a share of the honors and 
emoluments which it was in the power of his former 
illustrious military leader to bestow. " A few years 
before his death he generously gave freedom to his 
slaves, making provision for the old and infirm, while 
several testified their attachment to him by remaining 
in his family. In the characteristic viilue of plan- 
ters' hospitality. Gates had no coLupetitor, and his 
reputation may well be supposed to put this virtue 
to a hard test." '• He had a handsome person, and 
was gentlemanly in his manners, remarkably courteous 
to all, and carrying good humor sometimes beyond the 
nice limit of dignity. To science, literature or eru- 
dition however, he made no pretensions, but gave 
indisputable marks of a social, amiable, benevolent 
disposition. He died without posterity at his abode 
near New York, on the 10th day of April, 1806, 
aged seventy eight years." 



APPENDIX. 549 



BRIGABIER GEJVERdL JOHJY STARK. 

General Stark was a native of Londonderry, in 
New Hampshire, and was born August 17th, 1728. 
When at the age of 21 years, he was, while on a 
hunting excursion, surprized and captured by the 
Indians, and remained four months a prisoner in their 
hands. He was captain of a company of rangers in 
the provincial service during the French war of 
1755, and was with the British General Lord Howe, 
when he was killed in storming the French lines at 
Ticonderoga, in July, 1758. At the close of that 
war he retired with the reputation of a brave, and 
vigilant officer. When the report of Lexington 
battle reached him, he was engaged at work in his 
saw-mill ; fired with indignation and a martial spirit, 
he immediately seized his musket, and with a band 
of heroes proceeded to Cambridge. The morning 
after his arrival he received a colonel's commission, 
and availing himself of his own popularity, and the 
enthusiasm of the day, in two hours he enlisted 
eight hundred men ! On the memorable 17th of 
June, at Breed's hill. Colonel Stark at the head of 
his back-VkOodsmen of New Hampshire, poure'd on 
the enemy that deadly fire, from a sure aim, which 
effected such remarkable destruction in their ranks, 
and compelled them twice to retreat. During the 
whole of this dreadful conflict. Colonel Stark evinced 
that consummate bravery and intrepid zeal, whic]\ 
entitle his name to honor ar.d perpetual remem- 
brance in the pages of our liistory. After the British 
evacuated Boston, Colonel Stark joined our northern 
army while retreating from Canada, and he had the 
command of a party of troops who were employed in 
fortifying the post of Mount Independence. We 
next find him at Trenton, in December, 1776, where 
he shared largely in tlie honors of that ever memo- 
rable battle under Washington, when the Hessians 



550 APPENDIX. 

were captured. But Stark reached the climax of 
his fame, when in one of the darkest and inost des- 
ponding periods of the American war, he achieved a 
glorious victory over the enemy at Bennington. 
General Burgoyne, after possessing himself of Ticon- 
deroga in July, 1776, and while advancing at the 
head of his victorious army towards Albany, conceiv- 
ed the design of taking by surprize a quantity of 
stores which our people had deposited at Benning- 
ton. For this enterprize he despatched a German 
officer. Lieutenant Colonel Baum, with one thousand 
five hundred soldiers and one hundred Indians, with 
two field pieces. Stark was at this time brigadier 
general of militia, and was in the vicinity with about 
one thousand four hundred brave men from New 
Hampshire. He advanced towards the eneiiiy and 
drew up his men in a line of battle. Colonel Baum 
deeming it imprudent to engage with his present 
force, halted his troops and sent an express to Bur- 
goyne for a reinforcement, and in the mean time en- 
trenched and rendered himself as defensible as pos- 
sible. 

General Burgoyne immediately despatched Colo- 
nel Breyman, with about one tho^isand troops, to re- 
inforce Colonel Baum ; but a heavy rain and bad 
roads prevented his arrival in season. General 
Stark, on the 16th of August, planned his mode of 
attack, and a most severe action ensued, which con- 
tinued about two hours, with an incessant firing of 
musketry and the enemy's field artillery. Colonel 
Baum defended himself with great bravery till he re- 
ceived a mortal wound, and his whole party was de- 
feated. It was not long after, that Colonel Breyman 
appeared with his reinforcement, and another battle 
ensued, which continued obstinate on both sides till 
sunset, when the Germans yielded, and the victory on 
our side was complete, the trophies of which were 
four brass field pieces, and more than seven hundred 
prisoners. For a more particular detail of this en- 



APPENDIX. 551 

terprize see page one hundred and eleven of this vol- 
ume. Congress, on the 4th of October following, 
passed a resolve of thanks to General Stark, and the 
officers and troops under his command, for their 
brave and successful attack and signal victory, and that 
Brigadier Stark be appointed a brigadier general in 
the army of the United States. General Stark volun- 
teered his services under General Gates at Saratoga, 
and assisted in the council which stipulated the sur- 
render of General Burgoyne, nor did he relinquish 
his valuable services till he could greet his native 
country as an Independent Empire. General Stark 
was of the middle stature, not formed by nature to 
exhibit an erect soldierly mien. His manners were 
frank, and unassuming, but he manifested a peculiar 
sort of eccentricity and negligence, which precluded 
all display of personal dignity, and seemed to place 
him among those of ordinary rank in life. But as a 
courageous and heroic soldier, he is entitled to high 
rank among those who have been crowned v^ith un- 
fading laurels, and to whom a large share of glory is 
justly due. His character as a private citizen was 
unblemished, and he was ever held in respect. For 
the last few years of his life, he enjoyed a pecuniary 
bounty from the government. He lived to the ad- 
vanced age of ninty three years eight months and 
twenty four days, and died May 8th, 1822. 



MAJOR GEJYER.iL JOHjY SULLIVJIJS*. 

General Sullivan has a claim to honorable distinc- 
tion among the general officers of the American 
army. Before the revolution he had attained to em- 
inence in the profession of the law, in New Hamp- 
shire. But indulging a laudable ambition for military 



552 APPENDIX. 

glory, he relinquished the fairest prospects of fortune 
and tame, and on the commencement of hostilities, 
appeared among the most ardent patriots and in- 
trepid warriors. He was a member of the first 
Congress, in 1774 ; but preferring a military com- 
mission, he was in 1775, appointed a brigadier gen- 
eral of the American army then at Cambridge, and 
soon obtained the command on Winter Hill. The 
iiext year he was ordered to Canada, and on the 
death of General Thomas, the command of the array 
devolved on him. Tlie situation of our army in that 
(juarter, was inexpressibly distressing, destitute of 
clothing, dispirited by defeat and constant fatigue, 
and a large proportion of the troops sick with the 
small pox, which was attended by an unprecedented 
mortality. By his great exertions and judicious 
management he meliorated the condition of the army, 
and obtained general applause. On his retiring from 
tiiat command, July 12, 1776, the field officers thus 
addressed him. " It is to you, Sir, the public are 
indebted for the preservation of their property in 
Canada. It is to you we owe our safety thus far. 
Your humanity will call forth the silent tear, and 
the gratefid ejaculation of the sick. Your universal 
impartiality, will force the applause of the wearied 
soldier.'' In August, 1776, he was promoted to the 
rank of major general, and soon after was with 
major general Lord Stirling, captured by the British 
i)i the battle on Long Island. General Sullivan being 
paroled, was sent by General Howe vtdth a message 
to Congress, after which he returned to New York, 
in Septendier he was exchanged for Major General 
IVcscott. We next find him in command of the 
right division of our troops, in the famous battle at 
Trenton, and he acquitted himself honorably on that 
ever memorable day. 

In August, 1777, without the authority of Con- 
gress, or the Commander in Chief, he planned and 
executed an expedition against the enemy on Staten 



APPENDIX. 553 

Island. Though the enterprize was conducted with 
prudence and success in part, it was said by some 
to be less brilliant than might have been expected, 
under his favorable circumstances ; and as that act 
was deemed a bold assumption of responsibility, and 
reports to his prejudice being in circulation, a court 
of inquiry was ordered to investigate his conduct. 
The result was an honorable acquittal, and Congresa 
resolved that the result so honorable to General Sul- 
livan is highly pleasing to Congress, and that the 
opinion of the court be published, in justification of 
that injured officer. In the battles at Brandywine 
and at Germantown, in the autumn of 1777, General 
Sullivan commanded a division, and in the latter 
conflict his two aids were killed, and his own conduct 
was so conspicuously brave, that General Washing- 
ton in his letter to Congress concludes with encomi- 
ums on the gallantry of General Sullivan, and the 
whole right wing of the army, who acted immediately 
under the eye of his Excellency. In August, 1778, 
General Sullivan was sole commander of an expedi- 
tion to the island of Newport, in co-operation with 
the French fleet under the Count D'Estaing. The 
Marquis de la Fayette and General Greene, volun- 
teered their services on the occasion. The object of 
the expedition was defeated, in consequence of the 
French fleet being driven off by a violent storm. 
By this unfortunate event the enemy were encour- 
aged to engage our army in battle, in which they suf- 
fered a repulse, and General Sullivan finally effected 
a safe retreat to the main. This retreat, so ably ex- 
ecuted without confusion, or the loss of baggage, or 
stores, increased the military reputation of General 
Sullivan, and redounds to his honor as a skilful com- 
mander. 

The bloody tragedy, acted at Wyoming, in 1778, 

had determined the Commander in Chief, in 1779, to 

employ a large detachment from the continental army 

to penetrate into the heart of the Indian country, to 

70 



554 APPENDIX. 

chastize the hostile tribes and their white associates 
and adherents, for their cruel aggressions on the de- 
fenceless inhabitants. The command of this expedi- 
tion, was committed to Major General Sullivan, with 
express orders to destroy their settlements, to ruin 
their crops and make such thorough devastations, as 
to render the country entirely uninhabitable for the 
present, and thus to compel the savages to remove to 
a greater distance from our frontiers. General Sul- 
livan had under his command several brigadiers and 
a well chosen army, to which were attached a num- 
ber of friendly Indian warriors. With this force he 
penetrated about ninety miles through a horrid 
swampy wilderness and barren mountainous deserts, 
to Wyoming, on the Susquehanna river, thence by 
water to Tioga, and possessed himself of numerous 
towns and villages of the savages. During this haz- 
ardous expedition, General Sullivan and his army 
encountered the most complicated obstacles, requir- 
ing the greatest fortitude and perseverance to sur- 
mount. Het explored an extensive tract of country 
and strictly executed the severe, but necessary orders 
he had received. A considerable number of Indians 
were slain, some were captured, their habitations 
were burnt and their plantations of corn and veg- 
etables laid waste in the most effectual manner. 
^' Eighteen villages, a number of detached buildings, 
one hundred and sixty thousand bushels of corn, and 
those fruits and vegetables, Vv^hich conduce to the 
comfort and subsistence of man, were utterly de- 
stroyed. Five weeks were unremittingly employed 
in this work of devastation.'' On his return from 
the expedition, he and his army received the appro- 
bation of Congress. It is remarked on this expedi- 
tion, by the translator of M. Chastelleux's travels, 
an Englishman then resident in the United States, 
that the instructions given b}'^ General Sullivan to 
his oflicers, the order of march he prescribed to his 
troops, and the discipline he had the ability to 



APPENDIX. 555 

luaintain, would have done honor to the raost expe- 
rienced ancient or modern generals. At the close 
of the campaign of 1779, General Sullivan, in conse- 
quence of impaired health, resigned his commission 
in the army. Congress in accepting of his resigna- 
tion passed a resolve, thanking him for his past ser- 
vices. His military talents and bold spirit of enter- 
prize were universally acknowledged. He was fond 
of display, and his personal appearance and digni- 
fied deportment commanded respect. After his 
resignation, he resumed his professional pursuits at 
the bar, and was much distinguished as a statesman, 
politician and patriot. He acquired very consider- 
able proficiency in general literature, and an exten- 
sive knowledge of men and the world. He received 
from Harvard University, a degree of Master of Arts, 
and from the University of Dartmouth, a degree of 
Doctor of Laws. He was one of the convention 
who formed the state constitution for New Hamp- 
shire, was chosen into the first council, and was 
afterwards elected chief magistrate in that state, and 
held the office for three years. In September, 1789, 
he was appointed Judge of the District Court, for the 
District of New Hampshire, and continued in the 
office till his death, in 1795. 



MAJOR GEJ\^ERAL THOMAS COJ\*WAV. 

KNIGHT OF THE ORDER OP ST. LOUIS. 

This gentleman was born in Ireland, and went 
with his parents to France, at the age of six years, 
and was from his youth educated to the profession of 
arms. He had obtained considerable reputation as 
a military officer, and as a man of sound understand- 
ing and judgment. He arrived from France, with 



556 APPENDIX. 

ample recommendations, and Congress appointed him 
a brigadier general in May, 1777. He soon became 
conspicuously inimical to General Washington, and 
sought occasions to traduce his character. In this 
he found support from a faction in Congress, who 
were desirous that the Commander in Chief should 
be superseded. The Congress not long after elected 
General Conway to the office of Inspector General 
to our army, with the rank of major general, though 
he had insulted the Commander in Chief and justi- 
fied himself in doing so. This gave umbrage to the 
brigadiers over whom he was promoted, and they 
remonstrated to Congress against the proceeding, as 
implicating their honor and character. Conway, now 
smarting under the imputation of having instigated 
a hostile faction against the illustrious Washington, 
and being extremely unpopular among the officers in, 
general, and finding his situation did not accord with 
his feelings and views, resigned his commission, with- 
out having commenced the duties of inspector. He 
w^as believed to be an unprincipled intriguer, and 
after his resignation, his calumny and detraction of 
the Commander in Chief, and the army generally, 
was exercised with unrestrained virulence and out- 
rage. 

No man was more zealously engaged in the scheme 
of elevating General Gates to the station of Com- 
mander in Chief. His vile insinuations and direct 
assertions in the public newspapers, and in private 
conversation, relative to the incapacity of Washing- 
ton to conduct the operations of the army, received 
countenance from several members of Congress, who 
were induced to declare their want of confidence 
in him, and the affair assumed an aspect threatening 
the most disastrous consequences. Conway main- 
tained a correspondence with General Gates on the 
subject, and in one of his letters, he thus expresses 
himself. '^ Heaven has been determined to save your 
country, or a weak General and bad counsellors^, 



APPENDIX. 557 

would have ruined it." He was himself at that time 
one of the counsellors, against whom he so basely 
inveighs. Envy and malice ever are attendant on 
exalted genius and merit. But the delusion was of 
short continuance, the name of Washington, proved 
unassailable, and the base intrigue of Conway recoil- 
ed with bitterness on his own head. General Cad- 
wallader, of Pennsylvania, indignant at the attempt 
to vilify the character of Washington, resolved to 
avenge himself on the aggressor, in personal combat. 
In Major Garden's Anecdotes of the Revolutionary 
War, &c. we have the following detailed particulars 
of the duel. " The parties having declared themselves 
ready, the word was given to proceed. General Con- 
way immediately raised his pistol and fired with great 
composure, but without effect. General Cadwallader 
was about to do so, when a sudden gust of wind oc- 
curring, he kept his pistol down and remained tran- 
quil. " Why do you not fire, General Cadwallader?" 
exclaimed Conway. " Because," replied general Cad- 
wallader, "we came not here to trifle. Let the gale 
pass, and I shall act my part." " You shall have a 
fair chance of performing it well," rejoined Conway, 
and immediately presented a full front. General 
Cadwallader fired, and his ball entered the mouth of 
his antagonist, he fell directly forward on his face. 
Colonel Morgan, running to his assistance, found the 
blood spouting from behind his neck, and lifting up 
the club of his hair, saw the ball drop from it. It 
had passed through his head, greatly to the derange- 
ment of his tongue and teeth, but did not inflict a 
mortal wound. As soon as the blood was sufiiciently 
washed away to allow him to speak, General Conway, 
turning to his opponent, said good humoredly, " You 
fire, general, with much deliberation, and certainly 
with a great deal of effect.'* The calls of honor being 
satisfied, all animosity subsided, and they parted 
free from all resentment. General Conway, conceiv- 
ing his wound to be mortal, and believing death to- 



558 APPENDIX. 

be near, acted honorably, in addressing to General 
Washington, whom he had perfidiously slandered, the 
following letter of apology. 

Philadelphia, February 23d, 1778. 
Sir, 

I find myself just able to hold my pen during 
a few minutes, and take this opportunity of ex- 
pressing my sincere grief, for having done, written, 
or said any thing disagreeable to your Excellency. 
My career will soon be over, therefore justice and 
truth prompt me to declare my last sentiments. 
You are in my eyes the great and good man. May 
you long enjoy the love, esteem and veneration of 
these states, whose liberties you have asserted, by 
your virtues. 

I am, with the greatest respect, 
Your Excellency's 
Most obedient and humble servant, 

Ths. Conway. 



J\MJOR GEJ^ERAL CHARLES LEE. 

General Lee was an original genius, and one of 
the most eccentric and extraordinary characters of 
the age. His brilliant talents, military prowess and 
extensive intelligence would have entitled him to 
pre-eminence in the days of chivalry. He could dig- 
nify with honor an elevated station, and it was not 
difficult for him to degrade his rank by indulging 
in a malignant, sordid passion for personal satire and 
invective. From the qualities and manners of a 
gentleman, he could descend to the level of a queru- 
lous clown. The profession of arms was his delight 
from infancy, and he was commissioned at the early 
age of eleven years. In the year 1762, he bore a 



APPENDIX. 559 

colonel's commission, and served under General Bur- 
goyne in Portugal, where he signalized himself by 
his martial skill and active enter prizes. He after- 
wards served as an aid de camp to his Polish Majesty, 
with the rank of major general. He exhausted 
every valuable treatise both ancient and modern on 
the military art, and his capacious mind was stored 
with knowledge on every subject which he could 
collect from reading, conversation and extensive 
travelling in Europe. He was honoi'ed with the 
acquaintance of princes and noblemen, yet his man- 
ners were rude and singular, partly from nature, and 
partly from affectation. To his strong powers of in- 
tellect, he added literary accomplishments, and the 
knowledge of six languages beside his own. As a 
statesman he appeared to be influenced by an innate 
principle of republicanism ; an attachment to these 
principles was implanted in the constitution of his 
mind, and he espoused the cause of America as a 
champion of her emancipation from oppression. He 
pertinaciously opposed every oppressive measure of 
the British cabinet towards the American colonies, 
even while he was in their service. On his arrival 
in this country, he became daily more enthusiastic in 
the cause of liberty, and he travelled rapidly through 
the colonies, animating both by conversation and his 
eloquent pen, to a determined and persevering re- 
sistance to British tyranny. Thus he acquired a 
large share of popularity, and his presence among 
the people at this crisis was considered as a most 
fortunate and propitious omen. He probably expect- 
ed to have become the first in military rank in 
America, but in 1775, he accepted a commission of 
second major general from our Congress, having pre- 
viously resigned that which he held in the British 
service, and relinquished his half pay. He accom- 
panied General Washington to join the troops assem- 
bled near Boston, in July, 1775, and he was consider- 
ed as a real acquisition to our cause. In the spring 



560 APPENDIX. 

of 1776, he was ordered to New York, to take 
the command and to fortify that city for defence. 
Not long after, he was appointed to the command 
of the southern department, and in his travels through 
the country, he received every testimony of high 
respect from the people. General Sir Henry Clin- 
ton, and Sir Peter Parker, with a powerful fleet 
and army, attempted the reduction of Charleston, 
while he was in command. The fleet anchored 
within half musket shot of the fort on Sullivan's 
Island, where Colonel Moultrie, one of the bravest 
and most intrepid of men, commanded. A tremen- 
dous engagement ensued on the 28th of June, 1776, 
which lasted twelve hours without intermission. 
The whole British force was completely repulsed, 
after suffering an irreparable loss. General Lee, 
and Colonel Moultrie received the thanks of Con- 
gress for their signal bravery and gallantry. Our 
hero had now reached the pinnacle of his military 
glory, the eclat of his name alone appeared to en- 
chant and animate the most desponding heart. But 
here we pause to contemplate the humiliating reverse 
of human events. He returned to the main army in 
October, and in marching at the head of a large de- 
tachment through the Jerseys, having from a desire 
of retaining a separate command, delayed his march 
several days in disobedience of express orders from 
the Commander in Chief, he was guilty of most culpa- 
ble negligence in regard to his personal security. 
lie took up his quarters two or three miles from the 
main body, and lay for the night, Deceml)er 13th, 
1776, in a careless, exposed situation. Information 
of this being communicaterl to Colonel Harcourt, who 
commanded the British light horse, he proceeded 
immediately to the house, lired into it, and obliged 
the general to surrender himself a prisoner. They 
mounted him on a horse in haste, without his cloak 
or hat, and conveyed him in triumph to New York. 
A splendid triumph indeed it was, for next to Wash- 



APPENDIX. 561 

ington lie was the most Iiighly prized as a captive 
by the British, who considered him as the soul of the 
American army, and at that juncture of our affairs a 
more grievous loss, Washington thought, could not 
have been sustained. The Commander in Chief 
greatly lamented his capture as he entertained a 
high opinion of his martial skill, and he was appre- 
hensive that the British general would treat him 
with indignity and rij^or. Not having any prisoner 
of his rank, his Excellency immediately proposed to 
exchange for him five Hessian field officers captured 
at Trenton, which is equivalent to the rank of major 
general. The British commander affected to con- 
sider Lee as a deserter from his majesty's service, 
and refused to listen to proposals for an exchange, 
but treated him with all the rigor of a state criminal 
of the first magnitude. This compelled the Ameri- 
can commander, by order of Congress, to retaliate on 
the persons of five Hessian officers, and also on Colo- 
nel Campbell, who was now committed to a dungeon. 
After the capture of General Burgoyne and his army, 
the enemy relaxed in their rigorous treatment, and 
General Lee was soon exchanged for Major General 
Prescott. It is next to be seen in what manner 
General Lee terminated his career in the continental 
service. In the battle at Monmouth on the 28th of 
June, 1778, he commanded the van of the American 
troops with orders from the Commander in Chief to 
attack the retreating enemy. Instead of obeying 
this order, he conducted in an unworthy manner and 
greatly disconcerted the arrangements of the day. 
His Excellency, advancing to the field of battle, met 
him in his disorderly retreat, and accosted him with 
strong expressions of disapprobation. , Lee, incapable 
of brooking even an implied indignity, and unable 
to restrain the warmth of his resentment, used im- 
proper language in return, and some irritation was 
excited on both sides, for the moment. Lee on the 
same day addressed two letters to the Commander in 
71 



562 APPENDIX. 

Chief, couched in disrespectful language, and with an 
air of defiance solicited a trial for his conduct, in 
consequence of which he was immediately put under 
arrest. A court martial, of which Lord Stirling was 
president, was ordered for his trial on the following 
charges. 1st. For disobedience of orders in not 
attacking the enemy on the 28th of June, agreeably 
to repeated instructions. 2d. For misbehavior be- 
fore the enemy on the same day, by making an un- 
necessary, disorderly and shameful retreat. 3d. For 
disrespect to the Commander in Chief, in two letters 
dated July 1st, and June 28th. The letter dated 
July 1st was so dated by mistake, it was written 
June 28th. The court found him guilty on all the 
charges, and sentenced him to be suspended from 
any command in the armies of the United States of 
America for the term of twelve months. He made 
a masterly defence, and endeavored to prove that 
any other course than that pursued would have 
given the enemy great advantage, and hazarded the 
destruction of our army. In his adversity General 
Lee was not altogether destitute of advocates as re- 
spects the affair of Monmouth ; they alleged that, 
were it not for the disrespectful letters to his Excel- 
lency, Lee would have been acquitted, and the de- 
gree of punishment seems in some measure to justify 
this opinion. If he had been proved fully guilty of all 
the charges, a suspension for one year would be in- 
adequate to the magnitude of the crime. It appears 
also that Congress did not without some demur sanc- 
tion the sentence of the court martial. When at 
length their confirmation of the sentence was pro- 
mulgated, it was like a mortal wound to the lofty 
aspiring spirit gf General i.ee ; pointing to his dog he 
exclaimed " Oh that I was that animal that I might 
not call man my brother." He became outrageous, 
and from that moment he was more open and viru- 
lent iu his attack on the character of the Commander 
in Chief; and did not cease in his unwearied endeavors 



APPENDIX. 563 

both in his conversation and writings to lessen his 
reputation in the estimation of the army, and the 
public. He was an active abettor of General Con- 
way in his calumny and abuse of General Washing- 
ton, and they were believed to be in concert in their 
vile attempts to supersede his Excellency in the 
supreme command. With the hope of effecting his 
nefarious purpose, he published a pamphlet replete 
with scurrilous imputations unfavorable to the military 
talents of the Commander in Chief, but this with his 
other malignant allegations were consigned to con- 
tempt. At length Colonel Laurens, one of General 
Washington's aids, unable longer to suffer this gross 
abuse of his illustrious friend, demanded of Lee that 
satisfaction which custom has sanctioned as honorable. 
A rencounter accordingly ensued, and Lee received 
a wound in his side. Lee now finding himself aban- 
doned by his friends, degraded in the eye of the 
public, and despised by the wise and virtuous, retir- 
ed to his sequestered plantation in Virginia. In this 
spot, secluded from all society, he lived in a sort of 
hovel without glass windows or plastering, or even a 
decent article of house furniture; here he amused 
himself with his books and dogs. On January 10th, 
1780, Congress resolved that Major General Lee be 
informed that they have no further occasion for his 
services in tlie army of the United States. In the 
autumn of 1782, wearied with his forlorn situation, 
and broken spirit, he resorted to Philadelphia, and 
look lodgings in an ordinary tavern. He was soon 
seized with a disease of the lungs, and after a few 
days' confinement, he terminated his mortal course, 
a martyr to chagrin and disappointment, October 
2d, 1782. The last words which he was heard to 
utter, were, " stand by me my brave grenadiers." 
The citizens of Philadelphia were much affected 
with his unexpected death, and his funeral was 
attended by a large concourse of people, the clergy 
of different denominations, the president and mem- 



564 APPENDIX. 

bers of Congress, and of the Assembly of Pennsylva- 
nia, the minister of France and his secretary, Gen- 
eral Baron de Viominil, the minister of war, and 
several other officers of distinction, both of the 
French and of the American army. 

General Lee was rather above the middle size, 
*^ plain in his person even to ugliness, and careless 
in his manners even to a degree of rudeness ; his 
nose was so remarkably aquiline, that it aj.'peared as 
a real deformity. His voice was rough, his garb or- 
dinary, his deportment morose. He was ambitious 
of fame without the dignity to sup; -ort it. In private 
life he sunk into the vulgarity of the clown. '^ His 
remarkable partiality for dogs was such, that a 
number of these animals constantly followed in his 
train, and the ladies complained that he allowed his 
canine adherents to follow him into the parlor, and 
not unfrequently a favorite one might be seen on a 
chair next his elbow at table. 

In the year 1776, when our army lay at White 
Plains, Lee resided near the road which General 
Washington frequently passed, and he one day with 
his aids called and took dinner ; after they had depart- 
ed Lee said to his aids, " you must look me out other 
quarters or I sliall have Washington and his puppies 
calling till they eat me up," The next day he or- 
dered his servant to write with chalk on the door, 
'^ no victuals cooked here to day." The company, 
seeing the hint on the door, passed with a smile at 
the oddity of the man. "The character of this per- 
son," says one who knew him well, "is full of absur- 
dities and qualities of a most extraordinary nature. 
His understanding was great, his memory capacious 
and his fancy brilliant. He was a correct and ele- 
gant classical scholar, and both wrote and spoke his 
native language with perspicuity, force and beauty. 
From these circumstances he was at times a most 
agreeable and instructive companion. His temper 
was naturally sour and severe. He was seldom seen 



APPENDIX. 565 

to laugh and scarcely to smile. The history of his 
life is little less than the history of disputes, quarrels 
and duels in every part of the world. He was vin- 
dictive to his enemies. His avarice had no bounds. 
He never went into a public and seldom into a pri- 
vate house where he did not discover some marks of 
ineffable and contemptible meanness. He grudged 
the expense of a nurse in his last illness, and died in 
a small dirty room in the Philadelphia tavern, called 
the Canastoga wagon, attended by no one but a 
French servant, and Mr. Oswald the printer, who 
once served as an officer under him. He was both 
impious and profane. In his principles he was not 
only an infidel, but he was very hostile to every 
attribute of the Deity. His morals were exceedingly 
debauched. His appetite was so whimsical as to 
what he ate and drank, that he was at all times and 
in all places a most troublesome and disagreeable 
guest. His judgment in war was generally sound. 
He was extremely useful to the Americans in the 
beginning of the revolution, by inspiring them with 
military ideas and a contempt for British discipline 
and valor. It is difficult to say whether the active 
and useful part he took in the contest arose from 
personal resentment against the king of Great Britain, 
or from a regard to the liberties of America. It is 
certain he reprobated the French alliance and repub- 
lican forms of government after he retired from the 
American service. He was in the field brave in the 
highest degree, and with all his faults and oddities, 
was beloved by his officers and soldiers. He was de- 
void of prudence, and used to call it a rascally virtue. 
Two virtues he possessed in an eminent degree, sin- 
cerity and veracity. He was never known to de- 
ceive or desert a friend, and he was a stranger to 
equivocation, even where his safety or character was 
at stake. It was notorious that General Lee was a 
man of unbounded personal ambition, and conscious of 
his European education, and pre-eminent military tal- 



566 APPENDIX. 

ents and prowess, he affected a superiority over Gene- 
ral Washington, and constantly aimed at the supreme 
command, little scrupulous as to the means employed 
to accomplish his own advancement. In reference 
to his base detraction, General Washington in a let- 
ter to a friend said, " what cause is there for such 
a profusion of venom as he is emitting on all occa- 
sions ? — a simple narration of facts would defeat all 
his assertions, notwithstanding they are made with 
an eifrontery which few men do, and for the honor 
of human nature, ought to possess." — "If this gentle- 
man is envious of my station, and conceives that I 
stand in his way to preferment, I can assure him in 
most solemn terms, that the first wish of my soul is, 
to return to that peaceful retirment, and domestic 
ease and happiness, whence I came. To this end 
all my labors have been directed, and for this pur- 
pose have I been more than four years a perfect 
slave, endeavoring, under as many embarrassing 
circumstances as ever fell to any man's lot to encoun- 
ter, and as pure motives as any man was ever influ- 
enced by, to promote the cause and service I had 
embarked in." Garden^ s Anecdotes, 

The following is an extract from General Lee' swill, 

" I desire most earnestly that I may not be buried 
in any church or church yard, or within a mile of 
any Presbyterian or Anabaptist Meeting House, for 
since I have resided in this country, I have kept so 
much bad company while living, that I do not choose 
to continue it when dead." 

Thomas Paine once said of Lee, that ^' he was 
above all monarchs, and below all scum." 



APPENDIX. 567 



MAJOR GEJYERAL BEJTEDICT ARJVOLD. 

This extraordinary man is already recorded in our 
revolutionary history, in the character of a valiant 
and intrepid officer, and in the next page as a sordid 
and infamous traitor to his country. He was a na- 
tive of Connecticut, where he was known as a half 
bred apothecary, a retailer, a skipper, and a jockey. 
Under pretence of bankruptcy, he committed perjury 
with the view of defrauding his creditors. But his 
mind was formed for bold and desperate enterprize, 
and he was chosen captain of a militia company of 
volunteers, and on hearing of the battle at Lexington, 
he marched with his company and arrived at head 
quarters, at Cambridge, about the last of April, 1775, 
where he was promoted to a Colonel. He immedi- 
ately repaired to the vicinity of Lake Champlain, 
and united with Colonel Allen and his party, who 
were preparing to execute their plan for taking pos- 
session of the British garrison at Ticonderoga. This 
enterprize, was crowned with success, without blood 
shed, and an immense quantity of valuable ordnance 
and munitions of war was taken, for the use of our 
army. After which, he proceeded down the lake to 
St. John's in a small schooner, and seized by sur- 
prize, an armed sloop of superior force, which he 
brought off with several prisoners. In September 
following. Colonel Arnold was invested with the 
command of eleven hundred men, destined on a very 
extraordinary and arduous expedition, no less than 
penetrating through the unexplored wilderness to 
Quebec, by the route of Kennebec river. Colonel 
Burr, late vice president of the United States, was 
with this party. The expedition was attended by 
the most distressing circumstances which can be 
imagined, during which Arnold conducted with 
unexampled resolution, and the soldiers exercised 
the greatest fortitude and patience, and accdlnplishtd 



568 APPENDIX. 

an undertaking almost incredible. The men were 
obliged to drag their batteaux over falls, up rapid 
streams, over carrying places, and to march through 
morasses, thick woods, and over mountains for about 
three hundred and twenty miles. A part of the 
detachment consisting of about three hundred men, 
under Colonel Enos, returned to Cambridge to avoid 
absolute starvation in the wilderness. Some of those 
who persevered were compelled to feed on dogs, 
which they devoured without sparing legs or skin, 
and also their cartridge boxes, leather breeches 
and shoes. Colonel Arnold appears to have de- 
feated his own object, by an imprudent act. He 
entrusted to a transient Indian, a letter to a friend 
in Quebec ; the Indian betrayed his trust, and de- 
livered the letter to the British commandant, who 
immediately adopted measures for defence, and to 
oppose their march. In December, 1775, Colonel 
Arnold having reached the vicinity of Quebec, was 
second in command under General Montgomery, 
and led a party in the boldest and most spirited 
manner to the attack of the city of Quebec, by 
escalade, where he received a wound by a musket 
ball in his leg, and the brave Montgomery was slain. 
In January, 1776, Arnold was promoted to the rank 
of brigadier, and had the command of the miserable 
remains of our army, and retreated to Crown Point. 
He took from merchants, at Montreal, goods to a 
very considerable amount, under circumstances which 
implicated his honor and character. He ordered 
Colonel Hazen to take charge of the goods, but con- 
ceiving that they were taken unjustly from the pro- 
prietors, he refused to comply. On the retreat of 
the army, part of the goods were pillaged^ in conse- 
quence of which, Colonel Hazen was subjected to a 
trial, but was honorably acquitted. This affair ex- 
cited much indignation among several respectable 
officers, who having received abusive treatment from 
Arnold, demanded of General Gates, who now com- 



APPENDIX. 569 

manded in chief, that he should be arrested and 
brought to trial ; but Gates viewing him as a brave 
and valuable officer, was determined that he should 
command our fleet on lake Cham plain, and therefore 
waved all complaints exhibited against him. After 
Arnold was invested with the command of our fleet, 
Sir Guy Carleton proceeded up lake Champlain with 
a superior force, and a furious contest ensued. No 
man could have conducted with more intrepid 
bravery, than did General Arnold. By his valorous 
conduct he acquired the highest applause ; but being 
overpowered, he was obliged to retreat with the 
Congress galley, which he commanded, and four gon- 
dolas which he ran on shore and blew up in despite of 
every effort of the enemy to prevent it. He even 
displayed a nice point of honor in keeping his flag fly- 
ing, and not quitting his galley till she was in flames, 
that the enemy should not board and strike the Amer- 
ican flag. In April, 1777, General Tryon commanded 
an expedition from New York, consisting of about 
two thousand men, to destroy a deposit of stores at 
Danbury, in Connecticut. General Arnold by a 
forced march reached the scene of action, and with 
his usual impetuosity engaged the enemy, and when 
within a few yards a w hole platoon was leveled at 
him, by which his horse was killed ; a soldier was 
advancing to thrust his bayonet through him, when 
with great presence of mind he took his pistols from 
his holsters and shot him down. Having mounted 
another horse, that also was shot through his neck. 
Congress resolved, that a horse properly caparisoned 
be presented to General Arnold, as a token of their 
approbation of his gallant conduct, in which he had 
one horse killed and another wounded. In May fol- 
lowing, he was created a major general. When in 
August, 1777, General St. Leger invested Fort 
Stanwix, General Arnold marched at the head of a 
detachment from Fort Edward, to raise the siege, 
but the enemy alarmed at his approach, abandoned 
72 



570 APPENDIX. 

the enterprize before his arrival. In September a 
serious ditTerence took place between him and Gen- 
eral Gates, who commanded our army at Saratoga. 
A conscious superiority on one side, and an arrogant 
temper on tlie other, sufliced to render the conten- 
tion almost irreconcilable. The consequence was, that 
Arnold in a rage requested to be discliarged from 
under the command of General Gates, and the latter 
immediately gave him a passport to repair to General 
Washington's head quarters, though a battle with 
Burgoyne was daily expected. He postponed his 
departure however, till the sanguinary conflict at 
Bemis's heights commenced, October 7th, when he 
betrayed great agitation and wrath, rushing into the 
field of battle, and acting the part of a desperado, 
he exposed himself in the most rash, and intemperate 
manner. In t'le heat of the action, when our troops 
were gaining advantage. General Arnold ordered 
Lieutenant Colonel Brooks, at the head of his regi- 
ment, to force the German lines, which was instantly 
obeyed, and they boldly entered at the sallyport 
together, where Arnold received a wound in his leg, 
and his horse was killed under him. He had so little 
control of his mind, that while brandishing his sword 
in animating the officers and soldiers, he struck Cap- 
tain Pettingill and Captain Brown, and wounded one 
of them on his head, without assigning any cause. 
These gentlemen, the next day requested Colonel 
Brooks to accompany them to Arnold's quarters, to 
demand an explanation ; he disavowed all recollec- 
tion of the fact, and denied that he had struck an 
officer, but when convinced of it, readily offered the 
required apology. It is but justice to confess, that 
by liis military frenzy, or romantic heroism, Arnold 
contributed to the honor and success of the day. 
General Washington had a high sense of his gallantry, 
and presented him a pair of elegant pistols. After 
the evacuation of Philadelpliia, I)y the British army. 
General Arnold w^as enti'usted witli the command in 



»APPENDIX. 571 

that city. Here his display of connubial gallantry, 
as in the field his martial spirit, was crowned with 
honor and success. His addresses were auspiciously 
received, and he was honored with the hand of the 
then celebrated Miss Sliippen, one of the most 
elegant and accomplisiied ladles in the city, but of a 
tory family. His whole soul now appeared to be 
engaged in the promotion of his own interest and 
aggrandizement. He occupied the house of Gov- 
ernor Penuj ti ^ best in the city, and this he fur- 
nished in a rich and splendid style. His carriage 
and equipage were equally splendid, and he rioted 
in the luxury and pageantry of a nolleman. ^* Proud 
of the trappings of office, and ambitious of an osten- 
tatious display of wealth and greatness, the certain 
mark of a narrow mind, he had wasted the plunder 
acquired at Montreal, where his conduct had been 
remarkably reprehensible, and had dissipated the rich 
harvest of peculation, he had reaped at Philadelphia, 
where his rapacity had no bounds. He deliberately 
seized every thing he could lay his hands on in the 
city, to which he could affix an idea that it had been 
the property of the disaffected party, and converted 
it to his own use.'' * 

Unmindful of his military station, he engaged in 
various speculations and in privateering, in both of 
which, he was unfortunate. He made exorbitant de- 
mands on government, in compensation for public ser- 
vices, and made bitter complaints against Congress, 
pretending that he suffered injustice from their hands. 
The commissioners, appointed to liquidate his ac- 
counts, rejected a large proportion of his demands 
as being unjust and unfounded, and for which he 
deserved severe reprehension. He was charged, 
by the citizens of Philadelphia, with gross acts of 
extortion, and of peculating on the public funds ; and 
he was at length so notorious for his follies and vices, 

* History of the American Revolution, by Mrs. M. Warren. 



572 APPENDIX. 

and so audacious in his reproaches against what he 
termed the ingratitude of his country, that the gen- 
eral voice demanded an investigation of his conduct. 
The government of Pennsylvania, as well as many 
respectable citizens exhibited formal charges against 
him, and Congress directed that he should be arrest- 
ed, and tried by a court martial. He was sentenced 
to be reprimanded by the Commander in Chief, 
which being approved by Congress, was carried into 
execution accordingly. The emoluments of his office, 
with all his embezzlements, proved inadequate to his 
exigencies, and his funds being exhausted, he was 
unable to meet the demands of his creditors. Thus 
he evinced a mind, destitute of both moral principle 
and political integrity. Rebuffed and mortified in 
his vicious pursuits, he became soured and disaffected 
to our government and cause, and the most malev- 
olent and rancorous spirit agitated his unprincipled 
bosom, restrained by a want of opportunity to indulge 
his revenge. At the opening of the campaign in June, 
1780, the Commander in Chief offered him the com- 
mand of the left wing of our army, to which his rank 
entitled him, but this he declined under the pretext 
that the wound which he received at Saratoga, ren- 
dered him incapable of active service in the field. 
He solicited the station of commander of the garrison 
at West Po;nt, and in this request he was indulged 
by the Commander in Chief, who still had confidence 
in him as a military officer. He was now invested 
with a situation which furnished him with the n»edi- 
tated opportunity of executing his treasonable pur- 
pose, and avenging himself on his country, and the 
glorious cause of freedom. He engaged in a secret 
correspondence with Sir Henry Clinton, and actually 
agreed to put him in possession of the important 
garrison at West Point. 

The British general appreciating the importance 
of the acquisition, immediately closed with him for the 
stipulated sum of ten thousand pounds sterling, and 



APPENDIX. 573 

sent Major John Andre, his adjutant general and aid 
de camp, to negotiate the arrangement for the sur- 
render of the post. A British sloop of war, called 
the Vulture, conveyed him up the North river with- 
in twelve miles of West Point, and in the night of 
the 21st of September, 1780, by direction of Gen- 
eral Arnold, this gentleman was brought on shore 
under the fictitious name of John Anderson. Ar- 
nold received him on the beach and conducted him 
to the house of Joshua Smith, within our lines, and 
the night was spent in ripening the infamous plot 
for execution. The following night it was attempted 
to reconduct him on board the Vulture, but the 
boatmen who had been seduced to bring him on 
shore, utterly refused to perform the service, and a 
return to New York by land, was the only alterna- 
tive. Arnold furnished him with numerous papers 
containing all the necessary information respecting 
the garrison, and a passport, naming him John 
Anderson, on public business, with which he pro- 
ceeded on his journey. 

Having reached Tarritown, on his route, Andre 
was suddenly arrested by three militia men, who 
finding the above mentioned papers, concealed in his 
boots, immediately delivered them into the hands of 
Lieutenant Colonel Jameson, the commanding officer 
on our lines. With the view of giving Arnold an 
opportunity to escape, Andre had the address to 
induce Colonel Jameson to inform him by letter, 
that John Anderson was taken on his way to New 
York. On this being received by express, the 
guilty traitor struck with the pressing danger of his 
situation, instantly informed his wife that he had re- 
ceived some letters, which obliged him to flee his 
country forever, and desired her to retire, and re- 
main in her chamber. He now called earnestly for 
a horse, and mounted the first that presented, and 
instead of the usual path, he took a shorter route, 
riding down a very steep and dangerous precipice. 



574 APPENDIX. 

to the landing. This has since been called " Traitor's 
Hill." The barge being in readiness, he sprang 
into it, and ordered the boatmen to proceed down 
the river, and he was soon on board the Vulture, 
which Andre two nights before had left, and which 
immediately sailed with their prize for New York. 
Arnold was apprized that General Washington, being 
on his return from a journey to Hartford, intended 
to visit him that day, and he was momentarily ex- 
pected ; accordingly his Excellency arrived soon 
after Arnold had absconded, and not finding him at his 
quarters he passed over the river to West Point, to 
view the works, and with the expectation of finding 
him at his post, but being disappointed he returned 
to Arnold's quarters, where he still found that no 
one could account for his absence. But in a few 
hours despatches arrived from Colonel Jameson an- 
nouncing the capture of Major Andre, and this was 
accompanied by his own letter of confession. The 
mysterious affair was now developed. Arnold's 
treason and elopement admitted at once of explana- 
tion. An officer was immediately, sent to our fort 
at Verplank's Point with orders to fire at Arnold's 
barge, but it was too late, she had already reached 
the Vulture. In about an hour and a half after Ar- 
nold had absconded, Dr. Eustis, who had charge of 
the hospital in the vicinity, was called to the assis- 
tance of Mrs. Arnold whose situati'Mi was alarming. 
He found her at the head of the stair case, in great 
dishabille, her hair disheveled, knowing no one, and 
frantic in the arms of her maid, and Arnold's two 
aids, struggling to liberate herself from them. She 
was carried back to her chamber, and fell into con- 
vulsions, which lasted several hours. In a lucid 
interval she inquired of the Doctor, if General Wash- 
ington was in the house, expressing a wish to see 
him. Believing that she intended to say something 
which would explain the secret of Arnold's iinnc- 
countable absence, he hastened beloW; gave notice of 



APPENDIX. 575 

her request, and conducted the general to her 
chamber, who remained no longer than to hear her 
deny that he was General Washington, and to wit- 
ness the return of her distraction. When Arnold 
deserted his post, a corporal, by name James Lur- 
vey, was the cockswain of his barge. After their 
arrival on board the Vulture, and Arnold had held 
an interview with the officers in the cabin, he came 
on deck and said to his bargemen, '^ My lads, I have 
quitted the i^ebel army, and joined the standard of 
his Britannic Majesty, if you will join me, I will 
make sergeants and corporals of you all, and for you 
James, I will do something more.'' Indignant at 
the offer, Lurvey promptly replied, " No Sir, one 
coat is enough for me to wear at a time." A wor- 
thy example of fidelity in the corporal, and a cut- 
ting sarcasm on the guilty traitor. Two only of the 
crew remained, and they were British deserters, the 
brave corporal with the remainder of the men re- 
turned, not however in the barge ; Arnold had the 
meanness to retain that for his own use, and gave 
them a miserable boat in exchange. 

After his arrival on board the Vulture, he address- 
ed to General Washington the following letter. 

^^ On board the Vulture, September 25 th, 1780. 

Sir, — ^' The heart which is conscious of its own 
rectitude, cannot attempt to palliate a step which the 
world may censure as wrong ; I have ever acted 
from a principle of love to my country, since the 
commencement of the present unhappy contest be- 
tween Great Britain and the colonies ; the same 
principle of love to my country actuates my present 
conduct, however it may appear inconsistent to the 
world, who very seldom judge right of any maii's 
actions. 

" I have no favor to ask for myself; I have too 
often experienced the ingratitude of my country to 
attempt it j but from the known humanity of your 



576 APPENDIX. 

Excellency, I am induced to ask your protection for 
Mrs. Arnold, from every insult and injury that the 
mistaken vengeance of my country, may expose her 
to. It ought to fall only on me, she is as good and 
as innocent as an angel, and is incapable of doing 
wrong. I beg she may be permitted to return to her 
friends in Philadelphia, or to come to me, as she 
may choose ; from your Excellency I have no fears 
on her account, but she may suffer from the mistaken 
fury of the country. 

^' I have to request that the enclosed letter may be 
delivered to Mrs. Arnold, and she permitted to 
write to me. 

^^ I have also to ask that my clothes and baggage 
which are of little consequence, may be sent to me, — 
if required, their value shall be paid in money. 
I have the honor to be. 

With great regard and esteem, 

Your Excellency's most obedient humble servant. 

B. Arnold. 
His Excellency General Washington.'^ 

N. B. In justice to the gentlemen of my family, 
Colonel Varrick, and Major Frank, I think myself 
in honor bound to declare, that they as well as Joshua 
Smith, Esquire, who I know is suspected, are totally 
ignorant of any transactions of mine that they had 
reason to believe were injurious to the public. 

Mrs. Arnold was permitted to go unmolested to 
her husband at New York, and to take her chariot 
with her. Arnold had the audacity to remonstrate 
to General Washington against the execution of 
Major Andre, and to attempt to intimidate him by 
threats of retaliation, should the unfortunate prisoner 
suffer ; but his Excellency treated both the traitor 
and his affrontive letters with sovereign contempt. 
He next published an address to the people of the 
United States, in which he pretended to ascribe his 
defection from the American cause to principle, of 



APPENDIX. 577 

which it is well known that he ever has been desti- 
tute. He attempts to vindicate his conduct by the 
ridiculous pretence that he was actuated by iTwtives 
favorable to the interests of his country by bringing 
the war to a speedy termination, as though the 
destiny of America was doomed to be at his disposal, 
and that he was authorized to decide the fate of 
millions. In his artful address he labored to palliate 
his own guilt and to influence others to follow his 
vile example. He execrated with peculiar bitterness 
our alliance with France, and accused Congress of 
tyranny and usurpation, and a total disregard of the 
interest and welfare of the people. Not satisfied 
with this insidious appeal to the people, he ad- 
dressed by proclamation " the officers and soldiers of 
the continental army who had the real interest of 
their country at heart, and who were determined to 
be no longer the tools and dupes of Congress or of 
France." As inducement to the American officers 
and soldiers to desert the cause which they had em- 
braced, he represented that the corps of cavalry and 
infantry which he was authorized to raise, would be 
on the same footing with the other troops in the 
British service ; that he would with pleasure advance 
those whose valor he had witnessed, and that the 
private men who might join him, should receive a 
bounty of three guineas each, besides payment at 
their full value, for horses, arms and accoutrements. 
He endeavored to paint in lively colors the deplora- 
ble condition of our country, and to reprobate our 
Congress as oppressors, and their authority as tyran- 
nical. "You are promised liberty," he exclaims, 
"' but is there an individual in the enjoyment of it, 
saving your oppressors? Who among you dare speak 
or write what he thinks against the tyranny which 
has robbed you of your property, imprisons your 
persons, drags you to the field of battle, and is daily 
deluging your country with your blood ?" Again, 
"what is America now but a land of widows, orphans 
73 



578 APPENDIX. 

and beggars ? As to you who have been soldiers in 
the continental army, can you at this day want evidence 
that the funds of your country are exhausted, or that 
the managers have applied them to their own private 
uses ? In either case, you surely can no longer con- 
tinue in their service with honor and advantage. 
Yet you have hitherto been their supporters in that 
cruelty which, with an equal indifference to yours as 
well as to the labor and blood of others, is devour- 
ing a country that from the moment you quit their 
colors will be redeemed from their tyranny." These 
proclamations failed of the effect which they were 
designed to produce, and notwithstanding all the 
hardships, sufferings and irritations which the Ame- 
ricans were called to encounter, " Arnold remains 
the solitary instance of an American officer who 
abandoned the side first embraced in the contest and 
turned his sword on his former companions in arms." 
^^ I am mistaken," says Washington in a letter to a 
friend, ^'^ if at this time Arnold is undergoing the 
torments of a mental hell. From some traits of his 
character which have lately come to my knowledge, 
he seems to have been so hacknied in crime ; so lost 
to all sense of honor and shame, that while his facul- 
ties still enable him to continue his sordid pursuits, 
there w ill be no time for remorse." ^^ This man," 
says Hamilton, " is in every sense despicable. In 
addition to the scene of knavery and prostitution 
during his command at Philadelphia, which the late 
seizure of his papers has unfolded, the history of his 
command at West Point is a history of little as well 
as of great villanies. He practised every dirty act of 
peculation, and even stooped to connexions with the 
sutlers of the garrison to defraud the public." A 
respectable officer, in a letter to a friend, speaks of 
Arnold in the following language. ^^ It is not possi- 
ble for human nature to receive a greater quantity 
of guilt than he possesses. Perhaps there is not a 
single obligation, moral or divine, but what he has 



APPENDIX. 579 

broken through. It is discovered now, that in his 
most early infancy, hell marked him for her own, and 
infused into him a full proportion of her own malice. 
His late apostacy is the summit of his character. He 
began his negotiations with the enemy, to deliver up 
West Point to them, long before he was invested with 
the command of it, and whilst he was still in Phila- 
delphia ; after which, he solicited the command of 
that post from the ostensible cause that the wound 
in his leg incapacitated him for an active command 
in the field." His papers contain the most authentic 
and incontestable proofs of his crime, and that he re- 
garded his important employments only as affording 
him opportunities to pillage the public with impunity. 
The crimes of this unprincipled conspirator are thus 
summed up. Treason, avarice, hypocrisy, ingrati- 
tude, barbarity, falsehood, deception, peculation and 
robbery. He aimed to plunge a dagger into the 
bosom of his country, which had raised him from the 
obscurity in which he was born, to honors which 
never could have been the object even of his hopes. 
He robbed his country at the time of her deepest 
distress, having directed his wife to draw all she 
could from the commissaries' store, and sell or store it, 
though at a time when the army was destitute of pro- 
visions. He robbed the soldiers when they were in 
want of necessaries and defrauded his own best friends 
who trusted and had rendered him the most essential 
services. He spoke contemptuously of our allies, 
the French, and his illiberal abuse of every character 
opposed to his fraudulent and wicked transactions 
exceeds all description. For the sake of human 
nature it were to be wished that a veil could forever 
be thrown over such a vile example of depravity 
and wickedness. An effigy of Arnoh), large as life, 
was constructed by an artist at Philadelphia and seat- 
ed in a cart, with the figure of the devil at his elbow, 
holding a lantern up to the face of the traitor to 
show him to the people, having his name and crime 



580 APPENDIX. 

in capital letters. The cart was paraded the whole 
evening through the streets of the city with drums 
and fifes playing the rogue's march, with other marks 
of infamy, and was attended by a vast concourse of 
people. The efligy was finally hanged for the want 
of the original, and then committed to the flames. 
Yet this is the man on whom the British have be- 
stowed ten thousand pounds sterling as the price of 
his treason, and appointed to the rank of brigadier 
general in their service. It could scarcely be im- 
agined that there was an officer of honor left in that 
army, who would debase himself and his commission 
by serving under or ranking with Betiedict Arnold ! 
In January, 1781, Arnold was by Sir Henry Clinton 
invested with the command of one thousand seven 
hundred men, supported by a naval force, on an ex- 
pedition to Virginia, where he committed extensive 
ravages on the rivers and along the unprotected coast, 
plundering the plantations to the extent of his power. 
According to report he shipped ofii'a cargo of negroes, 
which he had stolen, to Jamaica, and sold them for his 
own emolument. Having taken an American captain 
prisoner, he inquired of him, what the Americans 
would do with him if he should fall into their hands ; 
the officer replied, they would cut off the leg that was 
wounded at Saratoga and bury it with the honors of 
war, and hang the remainder of his body on a gib- 
bet. In September, 1781, Arnold was again vested 
with a command and sent on a predatory expedition 
against New London, in Connecticut, his native state. 
After taking possession of the fort, they made a mer- 
ciless slaugliter of the men who defended it, and 
destroyed an immense quantity of provisions, stores 
and sliipping : sixty dwelling houses and eighty four 
stores were destroyed, and about one hundred inhabi- 
tants were deprived of their habitations and most of 
them of their all. This terminated the career of 
this monster of wickedness in America. At the 
close of the war, he accompanied the royal army to 



APPENDIX. 581 

England. "The contempt that followed him through 
life," says a late elegant writer,* " is further illus- 
trated by the speech of the present Lord Lauderdale, 
who, perceiving Arnold on the right hand of the 
king, and near his person, as he addressed his par- 
liament, declared, on his return to the commons, that 
however gracious the language he had heard from 
the throne, his indignation could not but be highly 
excited, at beholding as he had done, his majesty sup- 
ported by a traitor." " And on another occasion, 
Lord Surry, since duke of Norfolk, rising to speak 
in the house of commons, and perceiving Arnold in 
tiie gallery, sat down with precipitation, exclaiming, 
' I will not speak while that man, pointing to him, 
is in the house.' " 

He purchased in England a quantity of goods 
which he brought over to New Brunswick, the store 
and goods took fire, and the whole were consumed ; 
but according to report they were insured to a much 
greater amount than their real value. After this 
event no further laurels remained for him to achieve ; 
he recrossed the Atlantic and died in London, June 
14th, 1801. 



SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF GEJS'ERJIL KJVOX. 

Among those of our countrymen, who most zealous- 
ly engaged in the cause of liberty, few sustained a rank 
more deservedly conspicuous, than General Knox. 
He was one of those heroes, of whom it may be truly 
said, that he lived for his country. 

The ardor of his youth and the vigor of his man- 
hood were devoted to acquiring its liberty, and es- 
tablishing its prosperity. Born in Boston, July, 1750, 

* Alexander Garden, Esquire- Anecdotes of the Revolutionary War. 



582 APPENDIX. 

his childhood and youth were employed in obtaining 
the best education, that the justly celebrated schools 
of his native town afforded. In very early life he 
opened a book store, for the enlargement of which 
he soon formed an extensive correspondence in Eu- 
rope — but little time elapsed before, at the call of his 
country, he relinquished this lucrative and increas- 
ing business. Indebted to no adventitious aid, his 
character was formed by himself; the native and 
vigorous principles of his own mind made him what 
he was. Distinguished among his associates, from 
the first dawn of manhood, for a decided predilec- 
tion to martial exercises, he was at the age of eighteen 
selected by the young men of Boston as one of the 
officers of a company of grenadiers — a company so 
distinguished for its martial appearance, and the pre- 
cision of its evolutions, that it received the most 
flattering encomium, from a British officer of high 
distinction. 

This early scene of his military labors, served but 
as a school for that distinguished talent which after- 
ward shone with lustre, in the most brilliant cam- 
paigns of an eight years war; through the whole of 
which, he directed the artillery with consummate 
skill and bravery. 

His heart was deeply engaged in the cause of 
freedom ; he felt it to be a righteous cause, and to 
its accomplishment yielded every other consideration. 
When Britain declared hostilities, he hesitated not 
a moment, what course he should pursue. No sor- 
did calculation of interest retarded his decision. 
The quiet of domestic life, the fair prospect of in- 
creasing wealth, and even the endearing claims of 
family and friends, though urged with the most per- 
suasive eloquence, had no power to divert the de- 
termined purpose of his mind. 

In the early stages of British hostility, though not 
in commission, he was not an inactive spectator. At 
the battle of Bunker hill, as a volunteer he was con- 



APPENDIX. 583 

stantly exposed to danger, in reconnoitering the 
movements of the enemy, and his ardent mind was 
engaged with others in preparing those measures that 
were ultimately to dislodge the British troops, from 
their hoasted possession of the capital of New Eng- 
land. 

Scarcely had we began to feel the aggressions of the 
British arms, before it was perceived, that without 
artillery, of which we were then destitute, the most 
important objects of the war could not be accom- 
plished. No resource presented itself, but the des- 
perate expedient of procuring it from the Canadian 
frontier. To attempt this, in the agitated state of 
the country, through a wide extent of wilderness, 
was an enterprize so replete with toil and danger, 
that it was hardly expected any one would be found 
hardy enough to encounter its perils. Knox how- 
ever saw the importance of the object — he saw his 
country bleeding at every pore, without the power 
of repelling her invaders — he saw the flourishing 
Capital of the North in the possession of an exulting 
enemy, that we were destitute of the means essential 
to their annoyance, and formed the daring and gen- 
erous resolution of supplying the army with ordnance 
however formidable the obstacles that might oppose 
him. Young, robust and vigorous, supported by 
an undaunted spirit, and a mind ever fruitful in 
resources, he commenced his mighty undertaking, 
almost unattended, in the winter of 1775, relying 
solely for the execution of his object, on such aid as 
he might procure, from the thinly scattered inhab- 
itants of the dreary region, through which he had to 
pass. Every obstacle of season, roads and climate 
were surmounted by determined perseverance ; — 
and a few weeks, scarcely sufficient for a journey 
so remote, saw him return laden with ordnance and 
the stores of war — drawn in defiance of every ob- 
stacle over the frozen lakes and mountains of the 
north. Most acceptable was this offering to our 



584 APPENDIX. 

defenceless troops, and most welcome to the Com- 
mander in Chief, who well knew how to appreciate 
a service so important. This expedition stamped the 
character of him who performed it for deeds of eu- 
terprize and daring — He received the most flat- 
tering testimony of approbation from the Commander 
in Chief and from Congress, and was in consequence 
of this important service appointed to the command 
of the artillery of which he had thus laid the found- 
ation, — in which command he continued with in- 
creasing reputation through the Revolutionary War. 

Among the incidents that occurred during the ex- 
pedition to Canada, was his accidental meeting with 
the unfortunate Andre, whose subsequent fate was so 
deeply deplored by every man of feeling in both 
nations. His deportment as a soldier and gentleman 
so far interested General Knox in his favor, that he 
often afterward expressed the most sincere regret, 
that he was called by duty, to act on the tribunal 
that pronounced his condemnation. 

During the continuance of the war the corps of 
artillery was principally employed with the main 
body of the army, and near the person of the Com- 
mander in Chief, and w^as relied on as an essential 
auxiliary in the most important battles. 

There was perhaps no period of the war, when the 
American cause assumed an aspect so precarious as 
in the autumn of 1777. Philadelphia, then the cen- 
itre and capital of our country — pre-eminent for its 
wealth, its population and its trade — a place most 
distinguished for the progress of the arts, was des- 
tined to fall within the grasp of our haughty foe. 
In the campaign that preceded its occupation by 
the British, General Knox was a conspicuous actor, 
eager for the contest, yet compelled with his brave 
companions to lament that the equipments of our 
army were unequal to the heroic spirits of its soldiers. 
Trenton and Princeton witnessed his enterprize and 
valor. At that critical period of our affairs, when 



APPENDIX. 585 

hope had almost yielded to despair, and the great 
soul of Washiiigtoiij trembled for his country's free- 
dom, Knox was one of those that strengthened his 
hand, and encouraged his heart. At that awful 
moment, when the tempest raged with its greatest 
fury, he with Greene and other heroes, stood as 
Pillars of the Temple of Liberty, till the fury of the 
storm was past. 

The letters of General Knox, still extant, written 
in the darkest periods of the revolution, breathe a 
spirit of devotedness to the cause in which he had 
embarked, and a firm reliance on the favor of Divine 
Providence ; from a perusal of these letters it is 
evident, that he never yielded to despondency, but 
in the most critical moments of the war, confidently 
anticipated its triumphant issue. 

In the bloody fields of Germantown and Mon- 
mouth, without derogating from the merits of others, 
it may be said, that during the whole of these hard 
fought battles, no officer was more distinguished for 
the discharge of the arduous duties of his command ; — 
in the front of the battle, he was seen animating his 
soldiers and pointing the thunder of their cannon. 
His skill and bravery were so conspicuous on the 
latter occasion, that he received the particular ap- 
probation of the Commander in Chief, in general 
orders issued by him the day succeeding that of 
the battle, in which he says, that ^' the enemy have 
done them the justice to acknowledge that no artil- 
lery could be better served than ours.'' But his 
great exertions on that occasion, together with the 
extreme heat of the day, produced the most alarm- 
ing consequences to his health. To these more im- 
portant scenes, his services were not confined ; with 
a zeal devoted to our cause, he was ever at the post 
of danger — and the immortal hero, who stands first 
on the list of heroes and of men, has often expressed 
his sense of their services. In every field of battle, 
where Washington fought, Knox was by his side. 
74 



586 APPENDIX. 

The confidence of the Commander in Chief inspired 
by early services, was thus matured by succeeding 
events. There can be no higher testimony to his 
merits, than that during a v^ar of so long continuance, 
past almost constantly in the presence of Washington, 
he uniformly retained his confidence and esteem, 
which at their separation had ripened into friendship 
and affection. The parting interview between Gen- 
eral Knox and his illustrious and beloved Chief, after 
the evacuation of New York by the British, and 
Knox had taken possession of it at the head of a de- 
tachment of our army, was inexpressibly affecting. 
The hour of their separation having arrived, Wash- 
ington, incapable of utterance, grasped his hand and 
embraced him in silence, and in tears. His letters 
to the last moment of his life, contain the most flat- 
tering expressions of his unabated friendship. Hon- 
orable to himself as had been the career of his revo- 
lutionary services, new laurels were reserved for 
him at the siege of Yorktown. — To the successful 
result of this memorable siege, the last brilliant act 
of our revolutionary contest, no ofiicer contributed 
more essentially than the commander of the artil- 
lery. His animated exertions, his military skill, his 
cool and determined bravery in this triumphant 
struggle, received the unanimous approbation of his 
brethren in arms, and he was immediately created 
Major General by Congress, at the recommendation 
of tlie Commander in Chief, with the concurrence of 
the whole army. 

The capture of Lord Cornv.allis closed the contest, 
and with it his military life. Having contributed so 
essentially to the successful termination of the war, 
lie was selected as one of the commissioners to adjust 
the terms of peace, which service he performed in 
conjunction with his colleagues, much to the satisfac- 
tion of his country. He was deputed to receive the 
s\irrender of the city of New York, and soon after 
appointed to the command of West Point. It was 



APPENDIX. 587 

here that he was employed in the delicate and ar- 
duous duty of disbanding the army, and inducing a 
soldiery, disposed to turbulence by their privations 
and suiferings, to retire to domestic life and resume 
the peaceful character of citizens. 

It is a fact most honorable to his character, that 
by his countenance and support, he rendered the 
most essential aid to Washington, in suppressing that 
spirit of usurpation which had been industriously 
fomented by a few unprincipled and aspiring men, 
whose aim was the subjugation of the country to 
a military government. No hope of political eleva- 
tion — no flattering assurances of aggrandizement 
could tempt him to build his greatness on the ruin 
of his country. 

The great objects of the war being accomplished, 
and peace restored to our country. General Knox 
was early, under the confederation, appointed Sec- 
retary of War by Congress, in which office he was 
confirmed by President Washington, after the estab- 
lishment of the Federal Government. The duties 
of this office were ultimately increased, by having 
those of the navy attached to them — to the establish- 
ment of which his counsel and exertions eminently 
contributed. He differed in opinion from some other 
members of the cabinet on this most interesting sub- 
ject. — *One of the greatest men whom our country 
has produced, has uniformly declared, that he consid- 
ered America much indebted to his efforts, for the 
creation of a power which has already so essentially 
advanced her respectability and fame. 

Having filled the office of the War Department 
for eleven years, he obtained the reluctant con- 
sent of President Washington to retire, that he 
might give his attention to the claims of a numerous 
and increasing family. This retirement was in con- 
currence with the wishes of Mrs. Knox, who had 
accompanied him through the trying vicissitudes of 

* President Adams. 



588 APPENDIX. 

war, shared with him its toils and perils, and who 
was now desirous of enjoying the less busy scenes of 
domestic life. A portion of the lar^e estates of her 
ancestor, General Waldo, had descended to her, 
which he by subsequent purchase increased till it 
comprized the whole Waldo Patent, an extent of 
thirty miles square, and embracing a considerable 
part of that section of Maine, which now constitutes 
the counties of Lincoln, Hancock and Penobscot. 
To these estates he retired from all concern in 
public life, honored as a soldier and beloved as a man, 
devoting much of his time to their settlement and 
improvement. He was induced repeatedly to take a 
share in the government of the state, both in the 
house of representatives and in the council — in the 
discharge of whose several duties, he employed his 
wisdom and experience with the greatest assiduity. 
At that time Maine and Massachusetts composed 
one great and powerful state. His enlarged and 
liberal policy as a legislator, was manifested on 
eery question on which he acted, and in every de- 
bate in which he took a part. While at the council 
board of Massachusetts on all public political ques- 
tions, his opinions had great weight with Governor 
Strong, at that period the worthy chief magistrate of 
the commonwealth. Though independent and firm 
in his political sentiments, like Strong he was dis- 
posed to conciliate those v>7ho differed from him in 
opinion, and was wholly free from the spirit of in- 
tolerance. 

In 1798, when the French insults and injuries to- 
wards this country called for resistance, he was one 
of those selected to command our armies, and to pro- 
tect our liberty and honor, from the expected hos- 
tilities of the French Directory : happily for our 
country their services were not required. 

Retired from the theatre of active life, he still felt 
a deep interest in the prosperity of his coiuitry. 
To that portion of it, which he had chosen for his 



APPENDIX. 589 

residence, his exertions were more immediately 
directed. His views like his soul, were bold and 
magnificent ; his ardent mind could not want the 
ordinary course of time and events; it outstripped 
the progress of natural improvement. Had he 
possessed a cold calculating mind, he might have 
left behind him the most ample wealth ; but he 
would not have been more highly valued by his 
country, or more beloved by his friends. — He died, 
at Montpelier, his seat in Thomaston, 25th of Octo- 
ber, 1806, from sudden internal inflammation, at the 
age of 56, from the full vigor of health. 

The great qualities of General Knox, were not 
merely those of the hero and the statesman ; with 
these were combined those of the elegant scholar, 
and the accomplished gentleman. There have been 
those as brave and as learned, but rarely a union 
of such valor, with so much urbanity — a mind so 
great, yet so free from ostentation. 

In sketching the life of such a man, it is not the 
least interesting part, to recall his private virtues. 
Long will he be remembered as the ornament of 
every circle in which he moved, as the amiable and 
enlightened companion, the generous friend, the man 
of feeling and benevolence ; — his conversation was 
animated and cheerfid, and he imparted an interest 
to every subject that he touched. In his gayest 
moments he never lost sight of dignity; — he invited 
confidence, but repelled familiarity. His imagi- 
nation was brilliant, his conceptions lofty ; and no 
man ever possessed the power of embodying his 
thoughts in more vigorous language; when ardently 
engaged they were peculiarly bold and original, and 
you irresistibly felt in his society, that his intellect 
was not of the ordinary class. Yet no man was more 
unassuming, none more delicately alive to the feel- 
ings of others. He had the peculiar talent of render- 
ing all who were with hira, happy in themselves; 
and no one ever more feelingly enjoyed the happi- 



590 APPENDIX. 

ness of those around him. Philanthropy filled his 
heart ; in his benevolence there was no reserve — it 
was as diffusive as the globe, and extensive as the 
family of man. His feelings were strong and ex- 
quisitely tender. In the domestic circle they shone 
with peculiar lustre — here, the husband, the father 
and the friend, beamed in every smile — and if at any 
time a cloud overshadowed his own spirit, he strove 
to prevent its influence from extending to those that 
were dear to him. He was frank, generous and sin- 
cere. And in his intercourse with the world, uni- 
formly just. His house was the seat of elegant hospi- 
tality, and his estimate of wealth, was its power of 
diffusing happiness. To the testimony of private 
friendship, may be added that of less partial strangers, 
who have borne witness, both to his public and private 
virtues. Lord Moira, who is now perhaps the great- 
est general that England can boast of, has in a late pub- 
lication spoken in high terms of his military talents. 
Nor should the opinion of the Marquis Chattelleux 
be omitted. "As for General Knox," he says, " to 
praise him for his military talents alone, would be to 
deprive him of half the eulogiura he merits ; a man 
of understanding, well informed, gay, sincere and 
honest — it is impossible to know without esteeming 
him, or to see without loving him, — thus have the 
English without intention, added to the ornaments 
of the human species, by awakening talents where 
they least wished or expected.'' Judge Marshall 
also, in his Life of Washington, thus speaks of him, 
" throughout the contest of the revolution, this 
officer had continued at the head of the Ameri- 
can artillery, and from being colonel of a regiment, 
had been promoted to the rank of major general. 
In this important station he had preserved a high 
military character, and on the resignation of General 
Lincoln, had been appointed secretary of war. To 
his great services, and to unquestionable integrity, 
he was admitted to unite a sound understanding ; 



APPENDIX. 591 

and the public judgment as well as that of the chief 
magistrate, pronounced him in all respects competent 
to the station he filled. The president was highly 
gratified in believing that his puUic duty comported 
with his private inclination, in nominating General 
Knox to the ofiice which had been conferred on him 
under the former government." As a proof of their 
estimation of his literary attainments, the president 
and trustees of Dartmouth College conferred on him 
the degree of Doctor of Laws. 

Perhaps in no instance of his life, was his warmth 
of heart and strength of attachment, more fully ex- 
emplified than at the closing interview of the princi- 
pal leaders of the war, when they were about to 
take a final leave of each other, never probably to 
meet again. It was most natural that the recollec- 
tion of past scenes should awaken the liveliest emo- 
tions — the bosom of the soldier is the residence of 
honor and of feeling, and no man cherished them more 
fondly than Knox. He proposed to his brethren in 
arms, that some coui'se should be adopted to keep 
alive the generous attachment, which was the fruit of 
their long intercourse and mutual toils and dangers; 
the proposal accorded with the feelings of the princi- 
pal officers of the army, who united in forming the 
Cincinnati, a society whose object was to cement and 
perpetuate the friendship of its founders and transmit 
the same sentiment to their descendants. Pure as are 
believed to have been the motives of those who asso- 
ciated in forming this society, there were not wanting 
some who, from ignorance or illiberality, professed to 
doubt the purity of its character and the correctness 
of its objects. * But it is a fact derived from the 
highest authority, that it had from its commence- 
ment, the unqualified approbation of the Commander 
in Chief expressed in the most decided language. 
Such sanction as that of Washington, could not fail to 

* Governor Brooks, 



592 APPENDIX. 

do away every suspicion of its unfairness and to estab- 
lish the rectitude of its motives and principles. 

General Knox was a supporter of christian institu- 
tions, and contributed much, by his liberality and his 
example, to promote the preaching of the gospel. It 
always appeared to afford him the highest pleasure 
to bear testimony to the excellence of Christianity, 
and he often expressed his firm belief that its exalted 
principles were intended to correct the heart, and to 
purify the life ; to make man what he ought to be in 
this world, and to prepare him for the more elevated 
enjoyments of the future. He most firmly believed 
in the immortality, and the immateriality of the 
soul. 

From his reflections on religion, committed by 
him to paper, it is evident that his thoughts were 
often and intensely employed on the all important 
concerns of a future state of existence ; that he firmly 
believed in an overruling providence, and that he 
was created and sustained by its power and good- 
ness. He considered the order, harmony and beauty 
of creation as affording the most convincing proof of 
wisdom and design. He thought the universal 
distribution of blessings among mankind, furnished 
conclusive evidence of the goodness of the Being, 
from whose bounty they flow. But it was a subject on 
which he reasoned for himself, unfettered by the ar- 
rogant dogmas of the churchmen, or the metaphysical 
subtleties of the schools. He expressed axalted pleas- 
ure in the full conviction, that the arm of Almighty 
Power was extended for the protection of the whole 
family of man, without respect to Jew or Gentile. 
The exclusive pretensions of the various sects and 
denominations in the church, he considered the fruits 
of human invention, and altogether unworthy the 
wisdom of the Almighty Mind. 

Elevated by the aspirations of his own exalted 
mind, he believed our residence on this globe, which 
he considered but an atom in creation; as only the 



APPENDIX. 593 

commencement of a progressive state of existence, 
still rising toward perfection from sphere to sphere, 
till by successive gradations of intellectual and moral 
improvement we are prepared for the pi-esence and 
enjoyment of the AU Perfect Being who created us. 



75 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTION 

Causes which led to the war . • 

Whig and tory , .... 

Parliament impose a duty on tea — a cargo of tea destroyed in 

Boston 

British troops arrive in Boston, and General Gage appointed 

governor and commander .... 
Courts of justice interrupted by the people 

The Otis family 

Colonel Nesbit tars and feathers a countryman 

Intelligence received of the battle at Lexington 

Companies of minute men formed 

Lexington battle described .... 

Origin of the term Yankee .... 

Provincial Congress address the people 

Zeal and military ardor pervade New England 

Town of Boston invested .... 

The British practise the maxim, divide and conquer — We en 

join, unite and be invincible 
Liberty poles erected and tories disciplined 
New England clergy advocate whig principles 
General Gage's proclamation declaring the Province of Mas' 

sachusetts to be in a state of rebellion 
Attempts to dissuade the author from engaging in the army 
The author repairs to the Provinfinl Congress and otfers him 

self a candidate for an office ..... 

Visits the forefathers' rock at Pljmoiilh .... 

Battle on Breed's hill — General Warren slain 

Result of the battle ....... 

The author passes a medical examination, and is appointed t 

the hospital department ...... 

General Washington appointed Commander in Chief — Arrives 

at Cambridge ...... 

Generals Lee and Gates arrive at Cambridge . 

A view of General Washington 

Cannonade from our works and from the enemy 

Congress issue paper money 

Rifle men arrive at camp, their expert shooting 



5 

9 

11 

13 

ib. 

ib. 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 

ib. 

ib. 

21 

22 
23 

24 

25 

26 
27 
28 
33 

34 

35 
36 
37 
ib. 
ib. 
ib. 



596 



CONTENTS. 



the 



Dr. Benjamin Church detected in a treacherous correspon 

dence with the pneiny ...... 

General Gas;e sails for England ..... 

General Howe prohibits the inhabitants of Boston leaving 

town ......... 

Their distressed situation ...... 

State of our military hospital ..... 

Captain Manly takes a valuable prize .... 

Destitute condition of the troops and inhabitants in Boston 
Connecticut troop* quit camp and the militia arrive 
Americans occupy Leachmere''s point — cannonade on both sides 
Critical situation of our aruiy ..... 

Death of General Montgomery .... 

Major Knowlton burns several houses in Charlestown 
Anecdote of British officers ..... 

British officers alarmed while at the theatre 
The author joins Colonel W.'s regiment . 
Preparations for a battle ...... 

Our army take possession of Dorchester heights 

General Howe sends out a flag proposing to evacuate th 

town of Boston ....... 

Boston evacuated ........ 

Our troops march into Boston ..... 

View of the Old South Church 

Dr. Klliot preaches a thanksgiving sermon 

Funeral solemnities of the late General Warren 

British ships driven from Nantasket .... 

Prizes taken with Colonel Campbell, &c. .... 

Deplorable situation of our army in Canada, and death of 

General Thomas — his character .... 

Independence declared by Congress .... 

Anecdote of Mr. H. and Mr. G. .... 

British attack Charleston, South Carolina 
Parliament hire foreign troops .... 
The two Howes appointed commissioners 
Letter from the commissioners to General Washington not 

properly directed, and is refused 
Colonel Patterson has an interview with Washington 
Colonel Witcomb's regiment march to Ticonderoga 
Bite of a rattle snake ...... 

Horrid plot discovered at New York 

Treachery of Lieutenant Colonel Zedwitz . , 

Battle on Long Island ..... 

Our retreat from New York ..... 

Lord Howe desires an interview with some members of Congress 
Result of the interview ..... 

Destructive fire in New York ..... 

General Washington in danser .... 

Remarkable escape of part of our army . . • . 
Formation of our army ..... 

Pay and rations ....... 

Ticonderoga described ..... 

American Torpedo ...... 

Kaval action on Lake Champlain . . 

The enemj retire into Canada 



CONTENTS. 



597 



The British take possession of Newport 

Forts Washington and Lee taken by the enemy 

General Lee taken — Gloomy aspect of affairs 

Proclamation of commissioners 

Riot in camp .... 

Capture of Hessians at Trenton 

Ravages of the British in Jersey 

Washington's victory at Princeton ^ 

The enemy driven from Jersey 

Washington's proclamation 

Spy executed .... 

Rigorous treatment of General Lee 

Retaliation resorted to 

Cruel treatment of our prisoners 

Outrageous conduct of the enemy 

Stores at Peekskill destroyed . 

Stores at Danbury destroyed 

British plan for the campaign . . 

Romantic view .... 

Burgoyne's bombastic proclamation 

British army approaches Ticonderoga 

Ticonderoga evacuated 

Retreat of our army under General St 

Hubberton and at Fort Ann 
General Prescott taken at Newport 
General Washington's manifesto . 
Fort Stanwix invested . 
City of Albany described 
American army under General Schuyler 

ward to Stillwater 
Brave conduct of Major Hull 
Burgoyne despatches Colonel Baum on 

ningtcn — His curious instructions .... 

He is attacked and defeated by General Stark 
Affecting anecdote . . . 

Major General Gates supersedes General Schuyler and issues 

a proclamation 
Miirder of Miss Jenney McCrea 
General Gates complains to General Burgoyne of cruel mur 

ders — Burgoyne's reply ...... 

General Gates advances to offer battle 

Battle of the 19th of September 

General Lincoln detaches Colonel Brown to Fort George 
Nathan Palmer, a spy, executed ..... 
Expedition of the enemy up the North river 

Battle of the 7th of October 

British General Frazer slain — General Arnold wounded 
General Lincoln wounded ...... 

Remarkable escape of part of Gates' army 

Forts Montgomery and Clinton taken .... 

Esopus burnt ......... 

Burgoyne in a deplorable situation and General Gates under 

embarrassment ..... 

Daniel Taylor a spy taken and executed — He swallows a 

silver bullet and is made to discharge it .... 



Clair and battle at 



retreat from Fort Ed 



an expedition to Ben 



598 



CONTENTS. 



it 



Burgoyne proposes to capitulate 

Articles of capitulation agreed on . . . 

British army surrender ..... 

Burgoyne attempts to evade the treaty . . 
Trophies of the victory and observations respectins 
Misfortunes of Lady Ackland ..... 

Meritorious services of General Schuyler 

Captured officers and ladies arrive at General Schuyler^s 

Our hospital crowded with wounded men . 

Remarkable preservation of Captain Greg 

Indian mode of scalping ...... 

Ceremonies at an Indian treaty .... 

Battle of Brandywine ....... 

Royal army enter Philadelphia .... 

Battle of Germantown ...... 

Battle of Red Bank 

Fort Mifflin evacuated 

Singular conduct of Rev. Mr. Duche — his prayer 
Master Trotter's dancing school ..... 

American Torpedo ...... 

Celebration of our alliance with France 
Sufferings of our army at Valley Forge . . . 
Attempt to supersede General Washington . . 
Trial and execution of culprits .... 

Catastrophe at Schoharie ..... 

Removal from Albany .... ... 

Robinson's house occupied as a hospital — description of it and 

its vicinity ......... 

Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Putnam's Rock . 

Royal commissioners make proposals for an adjustment of 

difficulties 

Congress address the people ..... 

Dissatisfaction among our officers ..... 
Congress grant half pay for seven years . . . 

Royal army evacuate Philadelphia 

Battle of Monmouth 

Affair of General Lee . 

An unlucky shot . 

Royal commissioners' improper conduct .... 

Shaking Quakers 

Tragical event, and barbarous conduct at Wyoming 

A black snake 

French fleet arrive at Rhode Island and an expedition there 

General Lee tried and condemned .... 

A duel 

General Putnam visits the hospital .... 

Declaration of British commissioners .... 
Congress reply to the commissioners ..... 

Colonel Baylor's regiment massacred ..... 

General Washington visits the hospital — his person described 
Generals Schuyler and St. Clair tried and acquitted — character 

of General St. Clair ....... 

Brigadier General Muhlenburg gives an entertainment . . 
The author appointed regimental surgeon .... 

A visit to the Marquis de la Fayette 



PAGE 

127 
128 
129 

ib. 
130 
132 
133 
134 

ib. 
136 
137 
138 
139 
140 

ib. 
142 
143 
144 
146 

ib. 
150 
153 
154 
157 

ib. 
158 

159 
160 

161 
162 
163 
164 
165 

ib. 
166 
167 
168 
169 
170 
174 

ib. 
175 
176 
176 
177 
178 
179 
181 

183 
184 
185 
186 



CONTENTS. 



599 



Colonel Alden slain ........ 

March through the Jerseys ...... 

A remarkably large child ....... 

An entertainment . . . . . . 

Log huts .......... 

A duel 

A celebration ......... 

Dinner at Head Quarters — General Washington and Mrs. W. 
Public execution ...... 

Grand review by the French minister and Don Mirrilliars 
General Washington on horseback .... 

Indian Chiefs review our army .... 

Review by Baron Steuben — some account of the Baron 
A duel ....... 

The author invited to join Colonel H. Jackson's regiment 
A remarkably large ox presented to General Washington 
A journey to Providence .... 

Incursion of Governor Tryon into Connecticut 
Capture of Stony Point .... 

Dinner at General Gates' Head Quarters 

Female heroism ..... 

Anecdote of Lieutenant T. and General Gates 
Penobscot expedition .... 

A forced march to Boston . . . • 

Anecdote of a soldier . . . . . 

Civilities of the gentlemen in Boston 

Embark for Penobscot — Disembark at Kittery 

March to Falmouth ..... 

Defeat of our army and navy at Penobscot 

Some account of Falmouth and civilities received there 

Anecdote of J. Otis, Esquire 

Stony Point taken, and officers rewarded for their bravery . 

Paulus'' Hook taken by Major Lee 

Return to Providence ..... 

Mr. Murray's preachment .... 

Anecdote of General Prescott .... 

Anecdote of a negro ..... 

Newport evacuated by the British . . • . 

March through Connecticut to Head Quarters 

Sufferings of our army by cold and famine 

Disadvantage of short enlistments 

General Lincoln and Count D'Estaing make an unsuccessful 

attack on Savannah 
Extraordinary exploit of Colonel White 
Anecdote at Head Quarters 
Privations and sufferings of our army 
Military punishments 
Reenlistment of soldiers 
Expedition to Staten Island 

A party of Massachusetts soldiers attempt to return home 
Winter quarters 

Sufferings of our soldiers — Severe winter 
Major Boyles and party surprized 
A grand review by the French minister 
Pompous funeral at Head Quarters 



PAGE 
186 

187 
188 
ib. 



189 
190 

ib. 
191 
193 
194 

ib. 

ib. 
195 
168 
199 
200 
ib. 
201 

ib. 
202 

ib. 

ib. 
203 
204 

ib. 
205 
206 

ib. 
207 
208 
209 
210 
213 

ib. 

ib. 

ib. 
214 

a6. 
215 
216 
217 

218 
219 
220 

221 
222 
224 
225 
226 
227 
228 

ib. 

ib. 
230 



600 



CONTENTS. 



Dissatisfaction in camp .... 

Great depreciation of continental money . . 

Congress grant half pay to the officers for life 
Committee of Congress visit camp . • . 

Public execution ..... 

Difficulties in camp ...... 

Mutiny of two regiments .... 

Skirmish at Connecticut Farms .... 

Murder of the lady of Reverend Mr. Caldwell 

General Lincoln surrenders Charleston 

Three spies executed .... 

Battle at Springfield ^ . . . . 

Passaic falls described ...» 

Remarkably big headed boy at Tatawa 

French fleet and army arrive . . . 

A dinner at Lord Stirling's ..... 

Corps of light infantry formed under the Marquis de la Fayette 

Our arm}' prepared for active service . . 

A Committee from Congress .... 

A sermon by Reverend Mr. E. Hitchcock 

A famine apprehended ..... 

Our army march in pursuit of provisions . . 

Two fatal duels ...... 

Defeat of our southern army under General Gates, and Baron 

de Kaib slain ..... 

Funeral of General Poor ..... 
Review of our army bj Indian Chiefs 
General Washington journeys to Hartford 
Major General Greene succeeds to the command 
Treason of General Arnold and capture of Major Andre 
West Point described .... 

Character of General Arnold and circumstances attending the 

capture of Major Andre .... 

The captors of Major Andre rewarded 
Trial and condemnation of Major Andre 
Letter from Andre to General Washington . 

Flag from New York respecting Andre . 

Execution of Major Andre — his character 
Tragical death of Captain Hale .... 
Trial of Joshua Smith, Esquire, Arnold's confederate 
Incursion of the enemy on northern frontiers 
Successful engagement at the southward 
A foraging expedition ..... 

The neutral ground ..... 

Ladies contribute to the relief of our army 
Address from an American lady . . . 

Scarcity of provisions in camp ...» 

Enterprize of Major Talmage 

Great dissatisfaction among the officers . . . 

General Washington recommends to Congress an half pay es 

tablishraent ...... 

New arrangement of the army . . 

Mutiny of the Pennsylvania line .... 

Lieutenant Colonel IIulPs successful expedition 

Mutiny of the Jersey line • . . . . 



CONTENTS. 



601 



Brilliant action of General Sumpter 

Battle of the Cowpcns . . . 

Devastation on the neutral ground 

A visit to the British lines by a flag 

Confederation ratified 

Inoculation of the troops with smallpox 

Virtues of butternut .... 

Capture of General VVadsworth . , 

Character of Dr Cochran 

Battle of Guilford .... 

Distress of our southern army 

Arnold's expedition to Virginia 

Success of General Greene's army in Carolina 

Desertions from the enemy 

Colonel Greene and his party slain 

Singular project contemplated by the enemy 

Important despatches taken by the enemy . 

Charms of martial music 

Our army advance towards the enemy 

French army unite with ours . 

Corps of light infantry formed under the command of Colonel 
ScammeJ, the author joins it 

Disaster of a British ship 

Expedition to the enemy's lines . 

Our army in motion, conjecture respecting the object of the 
campaign ...... 

The secret explained, we march for the southward — A mas- 
terly piece of generalship 

Lord Cornwallis the object of our expedition 

March through the city of Philadelphia . . 

French fleet arrive at the Chesapeake 

Embark at the head of Elk, voyage down the Chesapeake 

Put in at the harbor of Annapolis 

Arnold's expedition to Connecticut 

Naval engagement and the British defeated 

Voyage down the Chesapeake 

Reach the harbor at Jamestown .... 

Arrive at Yorktowu and begin the siege 

Colonel Scammel wounded and taken 

Anecdote of General Washington and Mr. Evans 

The British obliged to kill their horses 

Colonel Tarleton wounded in a skirmish 

Death of Colonel Scammel .... 

A detachment from the allied army open entrenchments 
against the enemy ..... 

Tremendous cannonade from our lines 

A splendid conflagration of British vessels 

Second parallel line thrown up ... 

T;vo redoubts taken by the allied army 

Anecdote of General Washington and Colonel Cobb 

Anecdote of Marquis de la Fayette and Baron Viominil, (note) 

Cornwallis proposes to capitulate 

Bold attempt to elTect his escape . . . . 

Articles of capitulation ratified .... 

Surrender of the British army . . . . 

76 



602 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 
Singular circumstance respecting Cornwallis and Mr. Laurens, 

(note) ....... 345 

Commander in Chief expresses his thanks to the army, &c. . 348 

Enormities practised by liie enemy in Virginia . . 349 

Colonel TarletorPs horse taken from him . . . 350 

View of Yorktown after the siege . . . ib. 

Loss on both sides durintj the sieg;e .... ib. 

Lord Cornvvallis and liis enormities . , . 351 

Ferocious animosity between the two parlies . , 352 

Cruel death of Colonel Hayne .... 353 

Sanguinary conduct of Lord Rawdon ... 358 

Anecdote of Marquis de la Fayette and Lord Cornwallis . 359 

Battle at Eutaw Springs ..... 360 

Anecdote of Lord Cornwallis .... 362 

Voyage up the Chesapeake, &c. . . . , ib, 

Ex"ploit of Major Trescott .... 363 

Incursion of the enemy on our frontiers . . , 364 

Proceedings of Congress on our victory . . . 365 

Abbe Ban'dole's address ..... 366 

Fata) duel ...... 369 

Splendid celebration of the birth of the Dauphin . . 372 

Mutiny in the Connecticut line ... ib. 
Cruel Murder of Captain Huddy . . . .375 

General Washington resolves on retaliation and the lot falls on 

Captain Asgill as the victim .... 377 

Lady Asgill receives intelligence of the situation of her son 
and implores the compassion of the king and queen, and 

solicits the interposition of the king and queen of France . 378 
Count de Vergennes addresses General Washington in favor 

of Asgill who is finally liberated .... 380 

Baron Grimm's erroneous statement respecting: Captain Asgill 381 

Ijady AsgilPs two letters to the king and queen of France . 382 

Dr. Jones and Robert Morris .... 385 

Review of our army by Count Rochambeau . . 386 

Lamented death of Colonel Laurens . . . 387 

Loss of the Royal George ..... ib. 

Prospect of peace ..... 388 

General McDongall ...... i6. 

Reduction of our army ..... 389 

A final adieu to military' life ..... 390 

Society of Cincinnati ..... 391 

Officers of the m-iiiy memorialize Congress . . . 394 

Proceedings of that body ..... 395 

Anonymous letters to the army .... 396 

AVise measures of V\'ashington to counteract the effects of the 

anonymous letters ...... 400 

Washington's admirable address to the officers . . 401 
Author of the anonymous letters, (note) . . . ib. 
The officers present their thanks to his Excellency with affec- 
tionate expressions ..... 406 

General Washington addresses Congress in fiivor of the army 408 

Congress grant a sum in gross as a commutation for half pay 409 
The Commander in Chief orders a cessation of hostilities and 

congratulates the army . . . . 41 1 

Officers stiii dissatisfied and adciress the Commander in Chief 414 



CONTENTS. 



603 



PAGE 

His reply ....... 416 

Proclamation of Congress for a cessation of hostilities . 417 

Mutiny of a party of Pennsylvania soldiers . . . ib. 

General Washington issues his farewell orders . . 419 

Disbandment of the army ..... 421 

Congress give their thanks to the army — Painful parting scene 421 
Royal army evacuate New York and American troops take 

possession ....... ib. 

General Washington's parting scene . . . 422 
General Washington resigns his commission and addresses the 

president of Congress ..... 423 

Rep<y of the president of Congress . • . 425 

Number of men lost during the American war . . 426 

Loss to Great Britain, gain to the United States . . tb. 

Extract of a circular letter from General Washington . 427 

Colonel John Crane and many other Boston mechanics . 428 
Colonel Paul Revere . . . . .431 

Anecdotes of Dr. Thomas and Captain Udang . . 432 

APPENDIX. 



General Burgoyne's observations respecting the battles at 

Saratoga and death of General Frazer 
Affecting story of Lady Ackland 
Extract from the Baroness ReidesePs narrative 
Her interesting account of General Frazer and other wounded 

officers ...... 

Of the ladies of the army .... 

Her kind reception by General Schuyler . . 

Anecdote of General Burgoyne and General Schuyler 
Battle of the kegs ..... 

Capture and remarkable adventures of General Wadsworth 
Singular adventures of Sergeant Champe 



435 
437 
440 

442 

447/ 

430 I 

452 

453 

455 

462 



BIOGRAPHY. 



Of General Putnam 

Heath 

Lincoln 

— — Steuben 

■' La Fayette 

Gates 

Stark 

Sullivan 

Conway 

Lee 

Arnold 

Knox 





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